Welcome to Wexford Great War Dead

During the Great War, 1914 – 1918, a large number of men from Co. Wexford fought and died in the conflict which has been described as  'the war to end all wars'. This conflict resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and had dire and lasting consequences for generations across Europe.

In Wexford, the local newspapers of the period are full of the obituaries of those men and women, military and civilian, who died as a result of the war.

Until recently, it was believed that just over 500 men from Co. Wexford, who had enlisted in the British military, died fighting in the land war on the Western Front, Middle East and at Gallipoli. Research now shows this number drastically understates the loss of life for County Wexford.

Due to advances in digital archiving and on-line research tools, we now have access to Naval Service, Royal Flying Corp and Mercantile Marine records, as well as digitised birth, marriage and death records for the period. These advances in technology and research methods allow us to develop a fuller picture of the devastation caused to families and communities in County Wexford by The Great War.

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Where have all the young men gone?


When we scan the Census forms
In twenty twenty one and wonder,
Where have all the young men gone?
Then we remember.  Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

They went to war a hundred years ago
Brothers, Fathers, and Uncles, we never grew to know.
Where have all the young men gone?
They lay at rest in Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme

The Volunteers answered Redmond's call,
When Britain's back, was against the  wall.
Never returned to where they came from
Now at peace in Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

Today crowds who stand and silently wait, for the
Last post and reveille, at the Mennin Gate.
Read men’s names and the regiments they came from
Who lie in graves, unmarked, at Ypres, Mons
And the Somme.

That mournful sound as buglers play.
The Last Post in Mennin at the end of day.
Their memory in towns and villages will live on.
As they rest quietly now, In Gallipolli, Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

To commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the end of The Great War  1914--1918. In Memory of. Pte Thomas Byrne. 1900. 6th Bn. Royal Irish Regt. Killed in Action at Passchendale, Ypres. 5th August 1917.
Tom O'Byrne, (Nephew) August 2018.

Died on July 29th

Jolly, Andrew Gordon

Date of Birth
Service No.
G/4782
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Sussex Regiment
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Master Gunner Andrew John and Julia Jolly née Jackson of 'St Leonard's' 31 Beach Road, Southsea.

Potts, John Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
33 Upper John Street, Wexford
Service No.
3881
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Catherine Potts nee Brien of 33 Upper John Street, Wexford. Article in The People 1915.

Smith, James

Photo of Jamse Smith as a young boy. cira 1900.
Date of Birth
Alias
Smyth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
12504
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from wounds. Wound to the head from shell at Beaumont Hamel 01.07.1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anastatia Smith née Saunders of Wexford.
James Smith and Anastatia Saunders were married in Wexford where they had three children.  They left Wexford for Liverpool around 1882, where their son Michael was born.  They returned to Wexford around 1885. James was born in 1890.

His Battalion was part of 87 Brigade, 29th Division that attacked Beaumont Hamel 01/07/1916.  This is likely when James was wounded in the head by a shell.  He was evacuated to Sunderland Infirmary where his sister Bridget took care of him until he died 29/07/1916.
James is buried alongside his brother , Michael in Ford cemetery, Liverpool. 

Born on July 29th

Bishop, Walter

Date of Birth
Service No.
3577
Rank
Private
Regiment
Household Cavalry
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Margaret Bishop née Baldwin of Manor St., Waterford. Killed in Flanders, Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May, 1915) in which 2nd Dragoon Guards, serving in 1st Cavalry Division, were a part.

Doran, Daniel

Date of Birth
Service No.
18234
Rank
Private
Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
13th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Denis and Margaret Doran née Foley. Resided with his sister Mrs Margaret Earl at 3 Roe Street, Birkenhead.

McMenamon, Michael

Date of Birth
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at No. 1 Southern Hospital, Rouen, 29.4.1916, age 21
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine McMenamon née Devlin. His father was a Sergeant in the RIC. The 1901 Census shows the family at Ballyfarnan, Co. Roscommon. His father was then a RIC pensioner and a shopkeeper provision dealer. Children were James (17), Thomas (15), Patrick (14), Catherine (10), John (8), Michael (6), all born in Co. Wexford. By 1911 his parents were at Carrickmaclin, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan

Sample Records

Barry, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
17986
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, Balkans, Salonika/ Macedonian Campaign, Battle of Kosturio
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore. Brother of Michael, Welsh Regiment, killed in action, France 23rd July 1918.

Flanagan Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Bullawn, Co. Wexford
Service No.
21651
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Flanagan nee Bolger of 13 Bullawn, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Brehon, Richard Colles

Date of Birth
Address
14 Newtown or Commons, New Ross
Service No.
114383
Rank
Private
Regiment
Canadian Mounted Rifles
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders. Killed at the Battle of Mont Sorrel (Battle of Hill 62, 2 to 13 June 1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard Colles and Anne Brehon, listed in 1901 Census in New Ross, Co. Wexford, as a gentleman farmer and a member of the Irish Church.

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