Wexford in ww1, lookups available

enfeild

'The Wexford War Dead' by Tom Burnell and Margaret Gilbert will be published in November. I can give you lookups from it beforehand. If you just want a name or a location looked up. If you have relatives from any army who died in ww1 just post the name here I and I will give you thir information.
Regards.
Tom.

Black Lead

That's something I've been looking forward to for a longtime such an important time but it was brushed aside in later years, Is the book focusing on just the WWI or does it have information on Wexford during WWI such as the Americans at ferrybank ?

There is one event that I have allways wanted to know about and that was the crew of a boat from Wexford Town that ended up caught by the Germans coming out of England and they were imprisoned in a POW camp. Do you know anything about that ?

Can't wait for that book, Its added to my Xmas list.

While normally advertising is strickly verboten, I think that this is a good service to community so am willing to let it stay, bar orders from above.

Can you PM me more info about the book? Sounds interesting! Although being a first generation Wexican it doesn't apply to me.

enfeild

The book is not for sale I am offering free lookups.
Regards.
Tom

enfeild

There are many Wexford casualties of boats sent to their doom by ww1 German subs but I would have no information on survivors only on the men who died and also on the ones who were buried in the County of Wexford.
Regards.
Tom.

cosecretary

Hi I am about to start my family tree. One of my relations dies in WW1 his name was Jeramiah Cosgrave and he was from around Galbally.

Any information you could give me would be most appreciated.

Thanks

enfeild

There were 4 Cosgraves killed in ww1.
Here is Jeremiah
COSGRAVE, JEREMIAH. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Unit: 2nd Bn. Age at Death: 32. Date of Death: 16-August-1917. Service No: 17962. Born in Galbally, Co Wexford. Enlisted in Maesteg. Killed in Action. Supplementary information; Son of John and Mary Cosgrave of Galbally, Bree, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Grave or Memorial Reference: Panel 144 to 145. Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Regards.
Tom

cosecretary

Hi Tom

Thanks for that very interesting and a huge help to me. I must say I find it hard to understand why a country man from wexford would go to fight in ww1.

Black Lead

cosecretary wrote: »

Hi Tom

Thanks for that very interesting and a huge help to me. I must say I find it hard to understand why a country man from wexford would go to fight in ww1.

For King and Country or the hope of Home Rule when the war is over and done with.

cosecretary

I would doubt it cosgrave is an old irish name all catholics perhaps it was something to do with the hope of home rule following the war or maybe it was more for financial reasons. Fascinating stuff either way.

enfeild

cosecretary.
You are welcome, glad to help. He was not in any of the Wexford newspapers.
Regards.
Tom.

enfeild

'I must say I find it hard to understand why a country man from wexford would go to fight in ww1.'

There were 874 Wexford men killed in ww1.
Regards.
Tom

Tonycos

Jeremiah Cosgrave 17692 Private Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Bn was my Grand Uncle. I have been to Tyne Cot last September to see his name on the wall and give my respects, With regard to why they joined I think it was a mix, some economic, some had a wish for adventure, some believed in what Redmond did and for others it was a way out of Ireland. As a former soldier myself I do understand that no matter what flag you serve under the most important thing is the people with you. My father remembers the prayer book my granduncle carried and how blood spattered it was. The army tradition still runs in my family except now its the irish army with my dad and my two brothers and i having served.
It is also my intention to put a small headstone in galbally cemetery sometime in the near future to honour and remember Jeremiah, I have discussed this with my relations in Weford and have gotten their approval.

diarmuidh

Wow that´s a big figure

shockingly high..

I´m no poppy wearer but these men should be commorated in some way in Wexford me thinks..many would have voted for Sinn Fein on their return or for Redmond me thinks

on another point the delapidation of Redmond´s Park and his grave in John´s Street is a town shame..think of the tourists who would like to have a look in there..

ijapdafydd

Jeremiah Cosgrave enlisted in Maesteg, South Wales, just after the declaration of the War along with John Barry (KIA 1915), & John Hayes (both from Kilmore) my grandfather. They enlisted on the promise that Ireland would be granted Home Rule, under the Redmond Act.

Jeremiah Cosgrave & John Barry are remembered on the Roll of Honour in the Church of Our Lady & Saint Patrick in Maesteg, in a Book Of Remembrance for the 416 men from the town who died in the Great War compiled by Robert Bulger in the Maesteg Town Council Chamber, and the book “The Shamrock & the Leek” by Gerald MacCormack.

I intend to publish a book, DVD & a website to commemorate the sacrifice of the brave men from the Llynfi Valley (Maesteg area) who fought in the Great War. I will give the different reasons why the men enlisted. Very few of the miners from South Wales enlisted “for king & country”. Wales produced the highest % of its young men to fight the war before conscription, 14% compared to 12% in Scotland, 11% in England & 7% in Ireland.

I want to relate the stories of the friends who enlisted together, and I want to include the story of these 3 brave Irishmen who enlisted for Home Rule for their country. I will appreciate any help you can give me, by sending me copies of documents, photos & the life stories of these 3 brave men. In return if I can return the compliment by helping you in any way I will certainly do so.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Illtyd John ap Dafydd

funkyderek

Hi Tom,

My great-grandfather James Thomas was killed in action in WW1. I'd appreciate any additional information you can supply about him. Thanks.

Tonycos

ijapdafydd

Its very interesting that Jeremiah was remembered in Maesteg although not too surprising as he enlisted there. I thank you for your information as i didnt know too much about the man only from what my father told me and the fact that he saw Jeremiahs blood spattered prayer book (this was returned to the family) when he was a child. As to having photographs of him i have none and i dont have a lot of contact with relations in Wexford as i live 80 miles in the opposite direction almost. I think its a wonderful thing to remember those who gave their lives for a cause and whether some people think it was for right or not does not matter in my opinion.

All in all including Jeremiah i lost 3 grand uncles in WW1, (Jeremiah RDF, Denis McClean RMF, George Cummins Kings Hussars, also 1 was badly wounded but survived and my maternal grandfather RIR was a POW from 1915 to 1918 and they are all remembered in some way.

Many thanks once again to you from South County Tipperary Man.

Best Regards

enfeild

7 men from Tipperary, Wicklow, Wexford and Offaly who enlisted in Maesteg died in ww1.
Regards.
Tom.

enfeild

JAMES, THOMAS. Rank: Lance Corporal. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Unit; 8th Bn. Date of Death: 09-September-1916. Service No: 24535. Born in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Enlisted in Dublin while living in Ballycumber, Queens County. Killed in Action. From an article in a Wexford newspaper…
Killed in Action.
Much sympathy is felt with Mr and Mrs J James, Ballinapierce, Enniscorthy, in the loss they have sustained by the death of their third eldest son, Lance Corporal Thomas James who was killed in action on the 9th September last.
[FONT=&quot]Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on Pier and Face 16 C on the Thiepval Memorial in France. [/FONT]

Judgement Day

diarmuidh wrote: »

Wow that´s a big figure

shockingly high..

I´m no poppy wearer but these men should be commorated in some way in Wexford me thinks..many would have voted for Sinn Fein on their return or for Redmond me thinks

on another point the delapidation of Redmond´s Park and his grave in John´s Street is a town shame..think of the tourists who would like to have a look in there..

Well, as a poppy wearer, I have to agree with you about the sad state of Redmond's Park - although maybe it has changed as I haven't been there for a while. However, I find it somewhat ironic that as a 'poppy wearer' I have had to complain about the state of the 1798 memorials at New Ross and Enniscorthy on a number of occasions. From where I'm coming from, our history is our history, from whatever traditiion, and it is important to preserve it. I want to see the awful 'Singing Bird' sculpture removed from in front of Seamus Rafter's statue in Enniscorthy but had I been alive when the latter was I would have wanted him arrested. It's a strange old world to be sure!:)

ijapdafydd

Thank you Enfield, what were the names of the other 5?

here's a list of the 31 names of the men who died in WW1 & are rememberd in the church of Our Lady & Saint Patrick in Maesteg:

John Austin, Francis Banks, John Barry,Thomas Blake, James Breen, Thomas Burns, James Busher, Maurice Patrick Casey, Thomas Casey, Timothy Coleman, Martin Coullton, James Colston, Wiliam Conway, Jeremiah Cosgrave, William Joseph Cotter, Martin Ducey, John Duffey, Thomas Foley, James Hyde, Michael Keane, Michael Kelly, Thomas Lawton, Patrick Lyons, John McGrath, Richard T Melbourne, Thomas Managhan, John Murphy, Richard O'Brien, Hugh William Riley, Thomas Weston, William White.

Maesteg has a close association with Ireland, particularly with county Wexford, and many hail from Kilmore. At least 20% of the town's population are either Irish or from Irish ancestry.

Tonycos

Actually come to think of it on the list of Tipperary War dead that i saw here i think there are some put down as having enlisted in Maesteg, Would be interesting to compare the names. Clonmel Town was a major recruiting centre in Tiperary for the RIR and other barracks within the area for the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

ijapdafydd

Many of the miners who joined the 10th & 13th battalion of the Welsh Regiment enlisted in Bridgend 10 miles away.

Maesteg, was a very industrial town with plenty of work for the incoming Irish, in the iron & tin works and the many coal mines. The Llynfi valley has maintained all of it’s Welsh place names, Maesteg means Fair (teg) Field (maes).

Although my grandfather & his friends enlisted in the Dublin regiment, they trained initially in Cork, before going to Egypt & finally to the Dardanells. A good book on the Dardanells campaign is by a Welshman Huw Rodge called Galipoli.

Tonycos

Yes a lot would have trained in Depot Brracks and in Cork would most likely have been Victoria Barracks now called Collins Barracks, One of its most famous Officers at one time was Bernard Law Montogmery. I spent 5 years there as a solider myself. I hope some day to go to Helles and see memorial there as i have a relation named on it from the Gallipoli campaign.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=691131

Also the fact that Jeremiah Cosgrave is remembered in Maesteg i may travel there some day soon for a look myself. Having been to Tyne Cot i can say its so very well kept and is a true memorial to the futility of war.

enfeild

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] MONAGHAN, THOMAS.
[FONT=&quot]WALSH, PATRICK.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]COSGRAVE, JEREMIAH. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]DOYLE, MARTIN. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
BARRY, JOHN
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]CALLAGHAN, THOMAS. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]. [/FONT]

enfeild

So far I have only found one Waterford man who enlisted in Maesteg and died he was DUCEY, MARTIN.

enfeild

Two more Wexford men I missed were BUSHER, JAMES.and Thomas Mitten. James Busher's brother Peter also served with the RAMC and survived the war.

ijapdafydd

Thank you Enfeild! Although the folowing are not remembered in the church in Maesteg they are included in the Book of Rememberance held in the council offices.

Gunner Thomas Callaghan Royal Field Artillery
Private Thomas Mitten 2nd Battalion Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment).
Sgt Patrick Walsh 3rd Grenadier Guards

Tonycos

let me know in advance when you intend to come to Maesteg, as i can show you around offer you accomodation & all my relatives living locally would like to meet you.

In addition if anyone wants discounted fares on the ferry from Rosslare with a car, i have acontact who can arrange this.

funkyderek

Hi Tom,

Thanks but I was actually looking for James Thomas, first name James, surname Thomas, not the other way around. Having a surname thats also a common first name can be a real pain when researching genealogy! Can I impose upon you once more?

enfeild

A quick search of SDGW throws up 73 James Thomas. 6 of them in the RWF. You need to be more specific.

funkyderek

Tom, I know he was born in 1880 or 1881, had a wife called Mary and four children (Kate, John, Joseph and James).

I believe him to be have served in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, but that's only because he was the only James Thomas from Wexford that I found in a previous Internet search. So it would be good to have some data to confirm or refute this hypothesis.

enfeild

Regards.
Tom.This is all I have on this man;
THOMAS, JAMES. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit; 7th ( South Irish Horse ) Bn. Date of Death: 21-March-1918. Service No: 1981. Born in Barntown, Co Wexford. Enlisted in Wexford. Killed in Action. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on Panel 30 and 31 on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

Here is a readout from the 1911 census that might help you.
Residents of house number 20 in Townparks, part of (Rural) (Wexford Rural, Wexford)

Surname Forename Age Sex Thomas James 30 Male Thomas Mary 32 Female Thomas Kate 7 Female Thomas John 5 Male Thomas Joseph 4 Male Thomas James 1 MaleRegards.
Tom.

ijapdafydd

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert.bolger/

this is a link to the Maesteg War Memorial compiled by Robert Bolger which gives some details of the men killed in the Great War.

CarolKeo

Would you be able to look to see if there is a James Leary/O'Leary listed please? Thank you

enfeild

He is listed both as Leary and O'Leary.
LEARY/’LEARY, JAMES. Rank: Stoker 1st Class. Regiment or Service: Royal Navy. Unit: H. M. S. "Formidable. " Age at Death: 28. Date of Death: 01-January-1915. Service No: 310039. H. M. S. "Formidable. " Was struck by a torpedo from German Submarine U-34. 20 minutes later she developed a list of 20 degrees and the Captain ordered the crew to abandon ship. Darkness and a 30 foot swellmade it difficult to get the boats into the water and some fell in to the sea upside down. 25 minutes later the Formidable was struck again by a torpedo and after about an hour or so she looked like she would capsize.
The Captain and his terrier dog were calmly organising the crew to abandon ship when it capsized and turned over on many of the men in the water. 347 of her crew died including the Captain and his little terrier. Supplementary information; Son of James Leary of Wexford and the late Elizabeth Leary. From and article in the ECHO newspaper; LOST WITH THE “FORMIDABLE. ”On Wednesday morning Mr Jas Leary Faythe, received notification that his son, James, who was a stoker on HMS Formidable, blown up in the Channel, was amongst the members of the crew who were missing.
From an article in the Enniscorthy Guardian, 1915. …. Mr James O’Leary, son of Mr Jas. O’Leary, of Castle Hill Street, Wexford who also went to his doom on the same occasion. Mr O’Leary was a splendid type of young fellow who had a very promising career before him. He was leading stoker on the ill fated ship, and was held in the highest regard by his superior officers. A few weeks prior to his death he had rendered great assistance in the work of rescuing he survivors of the ‘Bulwark’ in Sheerness Harbour. In the town of Wexford the news of the sad death was learned with feelings of unfeigned regret, and much sympathy is felt for his family in their bereavement.
Grave or Memorial Reference: 11. Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial UK.
There is a picture of him included with the above.
Regards.
Tom.

artielange

Just wondering if you had any info on Tom and or John Gill. Three brothers I think the third is William. Tom was to have died in France/Belgium, from Newbahn Wexford .Othe r brother wounded and went to America. Asking on behalf of friend. Thanks in advance. He thought they might have been in the Ulster Fusiliers.

enfeild

I can see why he thought he was in the Ulster Fusiliers(no such unit) The Inniskillings (nickenamed the 'skin's) are an Ulster Regiment although southern lads joined them also.
GILL, JOHN JOSEPH. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Unit: 7th Bn. Formerly he was with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers where his number was13131. Age at Death: 22. Date of Death: 21-October-1916. Service No: 8/25750 and 25750. Born in Newbawn, Co Wexford. Enlisted in St Helens while living in Wexford. Died of Wounds. Supplementary information; Son of John Gill of Ballyclemock, Newbawn, Wexford. Grave or Memorial Reference: III. A. 253. Cemetery: Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension ( Nord ) in France. [/FONT]
There is a picture of him the papers and in the book.

Some snippets from the Wexford Papers;
Private Gill, Ballyclemock, Newbawn is home from the front where he took part in several engagements. He received a number of wounds, and has been compelled to wear glasses on account of injuries received to his eye.[/FONT]
During the present week, Mr Gill, of Ballyclomack, Foulks Mills, received notification from the war office of the death in action of Lance Corporal John J Gill, Inniskilling Fusiliers. Lance Corporal Gill, who comes from a family which has given several members to the army, was 22 years of age. Private William Gill, Irish Guards, 23 years of age, has been in all the recent severe fighting on the Somme front, but so far escaped unscathed. He joined the army prior to the beginning of the war. Private Martin Gill is at present in hospital in Liverpool recovering from the effects of a severe wound received in the big push.
Private Martin Gill, who is 19 years old, has already been severely wounded on three occasions. He has been through the whole campaign in France since the commencement of the war.

Regards.
Tom.

artielange

Thanks very much. Really appreciated. Just wondering where the book will be available for purchase. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

enfeild

You can order it from Easons, on Amazon or any book shop. Although it will be launched on December 5th it may be available a fews days before that. It is 'The Wexford War Dead, Published by Nonsuch Publishers,isbn 978 1 8458 8964 7.
The image quality of Lance Corporal Gill was not good enough for publication so I include it here for your reference.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a40/clondaleek/21-1.jpg
Regards.
Tom

johnnybmac

My grandfather fought in WW1 and his brother in law from his first marriage died in the war. His name was Bernard Monaghan from enniscorthy. Any info would be greatly appreciated... BTW my grandfather's name was John McDonald

enfeild

MONAGHAN, BERNARD. Rank: Private ( Acting Corporal ). Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit; 2nd Bn. Date of Death: 24-May-1915. Service No: 4087. Born in St Marys, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Enlisted in Enniscorthy. Killed in Action. Berney Monaghan, a native of Shannon, Enniscorthy, has died as the result of gas poisoning at the front. His parents and relatives were informed of the sad event on Thursday morning. The deceased, who was only a little over 20 years of age, enlisted in the Royal Irish Regiment after the outbreak of the war, and prior to that he had been employed at Mr George Lett’s, the Brewery. Grave or Memorial Reference: III. C. 2. Cemetery: Roeselare Communal Cemetery in Belgium.

enfeild

There were 4 Wexford McDonalds killed in ww1, Edward, Enniscorthy, James, Kilrush, Peter Wexford Town and William from Riverchapel.
Regards.
Tom.

johnnybmac

Wow enfield thanks

I cant believe you got that info so quickly:eek:

enfeild

Its from the book.
Regards.
Tom.

spurious

Should anyone want photos of the graves (or commemorations) of these men, digital and hard copies are available from the War Graves Volunteer Photographic Project at a nominal charge. If the grave is not yet photographed, every effort will be made to get someone out to do it.

Volunteers always welcome to help with the work.

artielange

Link doesn't seem too work. I appreciate the effort. Thanks again.

ijapdafydd

Tom

Can you please provide me with any information you have on John Barry?

Thank you.

enfeild

BARRY, JOHN. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Unit: 7th Bn. Age at Death: 26. Date of Death: 07-December-1915. Service No: 17986. Born in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford. Enlisted in Maesteg while living in Hereford. Killed in Action in the Balkans. Supplementary information; Son of the late John and Bridget Barry of Neamstown, Kilmore Quay, Wexford. Memorial: Doiran Memorial in Greece.

There is a nice picture of him in the book also.
Regards.
Tom.

ijapdafydd

Thank you Tom

can you please supply me with details of how to purchase the book, i will notify intersted organisations e.g south wales western front association, & some south wales publications e.g Western Mail (national newspaper) & Glamorgan Gazette (local newspaper). There are many people in South Wales with strong links with Wexford.

enfeild

You can order it anywhere in the world, yes even on amazon from December. It will be all Easons here in Ireland and all Wexford bookshops I dont wonder. A quick search on the net for Wexford War Dead and Burnell and you should find a place nearer to you that can order it. There are a few other books in that range coming out within the new few months, Cork, Waterford and Offaly. Clare, Kilkenny and Laoise after that.
Kind regards.
Tom.

ijapdafydd

Tom

was John Barry related to Michael Barry 52569 2nd Welsh died 23 July 1918 or/ and William Barry AB HMS Agincourt died 2 April 1916? Both men like John Barry were from Kilmore.