Tragic loss of heir to castle

CAPTAIN Gerald Hugh FitzGerald, 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, was killed in action aged 28 on Sunday, September 13, 1914.

The only son of Lord and Lady Maurice FitzGerald of Johnstown Castle, and grandson of the 4th Duke of Leinster and 7th Earl of Granard, he entered the Army in December 1907, was gazetted 1st Lieutenant in November 1908, and obtained his captaincy in November 1913.

He was a brilliant young officer and keen sportsman, and was well known in hunting circles in County Wexford.

His father died in 1901. His mother lived at Johnstown Castle until her death in 1942. He was married to Dorothy Charrington and left almost immediately after the ceremony for the front with the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards.

• Profiles were provided by Wexford County Council. On Sunday, the council launched www.wexfordgreatwardead.ie

Ray Murphy of Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society raising the flag at the unveiling in the Presentation Centre on Sunday of a commemorative plaque to those from the Enniscorthy area who fought and died during the Great War.

Captain Gerald Hugh FitzGerald.