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 February 19th

Gannon, James

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Rank
Boatswain
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Beacon Light (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
SS Beacon Light was attacked by a German Submarine.
Other Biographical Details
Son of the late Thomas and Martha Gannon nee Hughes. Husband of Margaret Gannon of 47 South Chester Street, Liverpool.

Born on February 19th

Berry, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
7567
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at home in Wexford. The cause of death was Phthisis.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Andrew and Johanna Berry née Connors. Husband of Katie Berry née Goggin, Mary's Lane, Gibson St., Wexford

Sample Records

Fitzhenry, James

Date of Birth
Address
Fair Gate, New Ross
Service No.
13140
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Field Artillery
C Battery, 62nd Brigade
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Mary Fitzhenry nee Forrestal of Fair Gate, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Brown, Nicholas

Date of Birth
Alias
Browne
Address
King Street, Wexford.
Service No.
9653
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Sarah Brown née Howlin. His father was a Baker by trade.  Originally joined the 1st Batt, Royal Irish Rangers in 1908 and had served in India. Sent to France in 1914 at the outbreak of war. Buried in strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.  Died one month after Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May 1915) in which 1st Royal Irish, serving in 27th Division, were a part. Served in Connaught Rangers before war.

Murphy, Albert

Date of Birth
Address
Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Service No.
27700
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action by gas in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of George and Mary Murphy née Keating. All the family were born in Wexford except Albert. Lived in Wexford since infancy. Named as Albert G. on the Census.

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