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 June 5th

Conway, John

Date of Birth
Address
John Street, Wexford
Service No.
2471T
Rank
Stoker 1st Class
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of Death
Other Biographical Details

The son of Owen and Rose Conway. Married Elizabeth Crosbie of Green Street, Wexford, 1910.

Rossiter, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
William Street, Wexford
Service No.
3095A
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Hampshire
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Direct result of enemy action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas Rossiter of William Street, Wexford.

Born on June 5th

Gaynor, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Clearistown
Service No.
3062
Rank
Private
Regiment
South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick and Anne Gaynor nee Hanlon, The Dirr. Brother of Mrs Kehoe of  Shelmaliere Common, Clearistown, Co. Wexford.  Served in the Boer War.

Rochford, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
22431
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Andrew and Bridget Rochford née Franey. Brother of Andrew above.

Sample Records

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. 

Byrne, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Lived in Wygram, Wexford. (also lived in Waterloo Road and Upper John Street.)
Service No.
1900
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
6th Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action during the Third Battle of Ypres, Flanders (Jul 31, 1917 – Nov 10, 1917).
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Sarah Byrne, (nee Lacey) Wygram, Wexford. Step Mother Margaret Byrne (nee Roche) at John Street, Wexford. Thomas was an apprentice moulder in a local foundry at the time of the Wexford Lockout 1911. His body was never recovered. He is memorialised on panel 33, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

Smith, George Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Maudlintown, Wexford
Service No.
2534
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Australian Infantry
45th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Michael and Johanna Smith nee Sinnott of Maudlintown, Wexford. 

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