Search Ireland, National Roll of Honour 1914-1921 to find your Irish ancestors who died serving in the First World War, as well as those soldiers who died in the three years following.
Search Ireland, National Roll of Honour 1914-1921 to find your Irish ancestors who died serving in the First World War, as well as those soldiers who died in the three years following.
There are over 24 thousand entries in this collection. Each entry includes a transcript with the following information, where available:
This collection of transcripts has been created from all known available references and collections for Irish casualties published before 1922. They include Soldiers Died in the Great War, Ireland's Memorial Records, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, newspaper items, articles and books. The material has also been cross referenced with the 1901 and 1911 Census to provide a more precise list of Irish casualties than was previously available to family historians.
These records provide valuable details regarding your ancestor’s service and death, including: the location of gravesite or memorial plaque (grave), the names and addresses of parents and spouse (supplementary information), details about previous regiments and service numbers (notes), and extracts from newspapers regarding your ancestor, including obituaries and letters home. The place of death will be France or Flanders unless otherwise specified.
Ireland’s Memorial Records suggest 49,600 Irish casualties for the Great War. However not every soldier in an Irish Regiment in the British Army was an Irishman. With over 24 thousand detailed entries and more to come, the National Roll of Honour 1914-1921 is a rich resource for those with ancestors who served in the Great War.
Victoria Cross Recipients
The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to a British or Commonwealth serviceman or woman. First instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856. Awarded for exceptional bravery in the presence of the enemy. Here are the names of just two of many Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross.
Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock
Within the records we have found the name of Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock. He was the Royal Flying Corps most successful pilot during the First World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, 2 bars and the Military Cross. Mannock was born in Ballincollig, County Cork. His father was a member of the Royal Scots, so he spent much of his childhood travelling. In August 1914, Mannock was working for a telephone company in Turkey. He knew that is was not save for him there, but before he could leave he was interned by the Turks for a year. When he was released in 1915, he moved to England and joined the British Army.
During his whole career, Major Mannock is credited with 70 kills in air battles, many over France and Flanders. He ‘was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed.’ On Findmypast we also found his Officer Service Record. The record states that Mannock was missing in July 1918 and believed to be dead. On the official record he was declared killed in action on 26 July 1918 in France. Major Mannock’s ‘15 Rules’ for pilots was still widely used during World War Two despite changes in aeroplane design.
Claude Nunney
According to Claude Nunney’s military records he was documented as born in Dublin, but this information was false. Claude was born Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney in Hastings, England in 1892. His birth record is available in the England & Wales Births 1837-2006. The next record we have for Nunney is in the Passenger Lists leaving UK, 1890-1960 record set. The record includes Nunney as a passenger from Liverpool to Montreal at the age of 13. He is listed along with numerous other young boys. It is believed they were sent to Canada as part of the Home Children scheme.
After the passing of the Barnado’s Act in 1891, private organisations had the authority facilitated the transfer of ‘abandoned’ British youths to overseas British colonies where they were placed with employers usually in rural areas. However, not all the children who migrated out of Britain were abandoned or orphaned, many came from destitute families who could no longer provide for the children and it was thought that through migration they could achieve a better standard of life. The main destinations were Canada, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia and Australia. For many children, the process was traumatic and they were met with harsh working conditions in their new home country. For others it was a positive experience and created new opportunities for the youths.
In Canada Claude Nunney was a ward of St. George’s Home in Ottawa and then placed at in a rural home near Lancaster. There is little account of his personal experience there. In March 1915 enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 38th Battalion. His official attestation records state that Nunney was born in Dublin and was working as a painter at the time of his enlistment. During his time in service he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 and then the Military Medal for his actions at Avion in the same year. Claude Nunney was awarded the Victoria Cross, along with six other members of the Canadian forces, for his bravery in September 1918 at Arras, France. The Canadian soldiers advanced on a heavily defended area. Under intense bombardment of artillery, Nunney lead and encouraged his comrades. During the first day of fighting he was wounded, but refused to leave the field. On the second day of battle, Nunney inflicted heavy casualties on the German forces, killing 25 gunners, but he was wounded again and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher. Claude Nunney died 16 days later. He be found in Findmypast’s Directories & Social Histories in the History of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
The official citation for hit Victoria Cross stated, ‘For most conspicuous bravery during the operations against the Drocourt-Queant line on Sept. 1st and 2nd, 1918. On Sept. 1st, when his battalion was in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, preparatory to the advance, the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and counter-attacked. Pte. Nunney, who was at this time at company headquarters, immediately on his own initiative proceeded through the barrage to the company outpost lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example. The enemy were repulsed and a critical situation was saved. During the attack on Sept. 2nd, his dash continually placed him in advance of his companions, and his fearless example undoubtedly helped greatly to carry the company forward to its objectives.’
The following counties are included in this collection of records: Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, King’s County/Offaly, Limerick, Longford, Queen’s County/Laois/Leix, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Wickow