Wexford Great War Dead

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 27th

Kinsella, Michael

Date of Birth

Tuesday February 5th 1884

Address

Sydney, Australia

Service No.

6152

Rank

Private

Regiment

Australian Infantry

25th Battalion

Date of Death

Thursday June 27th 1918

Circumstances of Death

Died of wounds at 8th Stationary Hospital, France

Other Biographical Details

Son of Denis Kinella and Mrs Brigid Kinsella, Bolacree, Gorey.

Quirke, Patrick

Date of Birth

Tuesday February 24th 1891

Address

Coolyearney (Ballindaggan, Wexford).

Service No.

76755

Rank

Bombardier

Regiment

Royal Field Artillery

5th Bty. 45th Bde.

Date of Death

Tuesday June 27th 1916

Circumstances of Death

Killed in Action France

Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Ellen Quirke (née Doyle) of Coolyearney (Ballindaggan, Wexford). Ellen (Mother) is recorded at the head of the family on 1901 census as farmer and shopkeeper.
Killed just before the opening of the Battle of the Somme (1916) while serving with 8th Division - most likely while unit was laying down bombardment in advance of the British offensive.
Buried at BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France.