Facts About Mersea Island

History

In the early 19th century, the increased demand for oysters despite a limited supply from the Strood and Pyefleet Channel led traders to get oysters from other places and pass them off as native to the island. Beach huts have been established on West Mersea beach since the 1920s. By the end of the 19th century, the land around the island had been partially reclaimed, allowing easier access.

During the First World War, 320 soldiers came from Mersea Island, of which 50 lost their lives. They are commemorated at the War Memorial at the parish church. Troops were stationed at Mersea Island during the war. In 1916, a Zeppelin crash-landed at nearby Great Wigborough to the northwest of the island and in 1926, West Mersea became a self-governing urban district, which allowed it to set up a self-contained water and sewer system.