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.

Born on January 22nd

Drury, George

Date of Birth
Address
Cootehill, Co. Cavan
Service No.
20240
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
9th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of William and Anne Drury née Bradley.

Franklin, John Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Ballyalla, Castlehaven South, Co. Cork
Service No.
170167
Rank
Petty Officer Stoker
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Cornwallis
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from heart disease while serving with the Coast Guard at Ballyalla, Co. Cork.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Anne Franklin nee Cahill. Husband of Mary Ann 'Marian' Franklin nee Murphy and brother of Sergeant Martin Franklin, Royal Irish Regiment. Invalided from the Navy 31 May 1916 and employed with the Coast Guard.

Sample Records

Barry, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Kilmore
Service No.
52569
Rank
Private
Regiment
Welsh Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action during the period between the Battles of the Lys (3 battles) and Second Battle of Arras
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore, Co. Wexford. Brother of John, Royal Dublin Fusiliers killed in action Balkans 7th December 1915.

Peare, Hilda Florence Letitia Anna

Date of Birth
Address
Killmallock House, Enniscorthy
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At the Military Hospital, Seymour Park, Manchester. Severe attack of Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever) contracted while she was nursing the sick and wounded of the fighting forces
Other Biographical Details

Daughter of Robert Hawtry and Alice Maud Peare née Sutherland, Kilmallock House, Enniscorthy. Estimated year of birth: 1894

Sullivan, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
William Street, Gorey
Service No.
5320
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action. Struck by a shell at Hill 60.
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Mary Sullivan of 13 Grattan Street, Gorey. Husband of Bridget Sullivan of 16 Robert Street South, Dublin. Served in the South African War. Enlisted in Wexford while living in Gorey.

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