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 October 8th

Cullen, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Bootle.
Service No.
2164 and 3164
Rank
Private
Regiment
Kings Liverpool Regiment
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders 'Trachea blown away'
Other Biographical Details
Son of Michael and Mary Cullen nee Codd of 39 Tennyson Street, Bootle, Liverpool.

Devereux, Patrick John

Date of Birth
Address
Moved to New Zealand with parents in 1910
Service No.
Dec-72
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Auckland Regiment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of James T and Jane Devereaux of Glenbrook, Waiku, Aukland. Grandson to Mr John Buttle, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy

Hamilton, John

Date of Birth
Address
He was an attendant at Sea View Mental Hospital, Hokitika, New Zealand
Service No.
26/1001
Rank
Private
Regiment
3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Anne Hamilton, Ballybay, Ballagh, Enniscorthy

Kane, Patrick,

Date of Birth
Alias
Keane, Patrick
Address
Gorey
Service No.
50765
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick and Kate Kane nee Molloy of Church Street, Gorey, Co.Wexford.

Noctor, James

Date of Birth
Address
Ferns
Service No.
25284
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
He had a brother William. Son of James and Anne Noctor née Deacon.

Nolan, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Enniscorthy
Service No.
15218
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Article in a Wexford newspaper: Son of Matthew and Bridget Nolan nee Carroll, formerly of Island Road. Brother of Private John Nolan, Aiden Nolan and Patrick Nolan above.

Reid, Edgar

Date of Birth
Address
Born in Mullingar, Co.Westmeath.
Service No.
7111
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds from a burst shell in the trench where he was standing at the time, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Julia Reid née Tolster. The 1911 Census shows him, aged 12, with his parents at 18 Monck Street, Wexford.

Stephens, Francis

Date of Birth
Address
88 Old Hall Street, Liverpool
Rank
Boatswain
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Memphian (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Sunk by German Submarine U-96 7 miles East South East of the North Arklow Lighship.
Other Biographical Details
Son of the late James and Mary Stephens. Husband of Mrs Margaret O'Flaherty of 88 Old Hall Street, Liverpool.

Born on October 8th

O’keeffe, Thomas Francis

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
Feb-87
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Enniscorthy Guardian article Son of Richard and Maria O'Keefe nee Sinnott. His father was a gas fitter. The 1901 census showed the family at 26 Abbey Street, Wexford. Children were Mary Frances (24), John (19), Ellen (17), Thomas (a printer machinist), Richard (12) and Kathleen (4). Another son had been killed in the Boer War. By 1911 his parents were at 22 Abbey Street. They had 9 children living, including William (26) and Alice (18). His father died from a sudden cerebral haemorrhage at Trinity Street, Wexford 25th May 1912. Enlisted in the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles 25th July 1908.

Saunders, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
1441
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Brother of Mr Robert Saunders of 6 Lunt Road, Bootle, Liverpool. Son of John and Annie Saunders née White. Their son Robert was born 15.12.1878.

Sample Records

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.

Breen, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy.
Service No.
4370
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Manchester Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Wounded while fighting in the Dardanellas. Died at Sea on hospital ship enroute to Malta
Other Biographical Details

The son of James and Margaret Breen née Habernathy of 66 Ross Rd, Enniscorthy. Brother of James Breen (4387) Irish Guards, 1st Battalion, who was killed less than fours months earlier in France during The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915. Husband of Margaret Breen née Nolan of 4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy. Thomas left a window and two children. Remembered on Panel 158 - 170, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Monaghan, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
3186
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Elizabeth Monaghan nee Nolan of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Thomas is one of four brothers serving in the army.
Memorial Reference: Panel 185 - 190, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

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