Sometimes known as God's Acre, the land was bought by West Mersea Parish Council in 1895 from Willoughby John Bean for £140. The first person to be buried in Barfield Road Cemetery in January 1900 was Elijah Reid.

There are ten war graves in Barfield Road Cemetery. For more details click here to view the Commonwealth War Graves Commission link.
War Graves list of names and grave numbers: click here 
War Graves location map: click here 

The graveyard has been closed for new burials since the 1940's but family graves can be re-opened, with the relevant permission, to accommodate other family members. The Town Council owns and maintains the cemetery.


L to R: Mr. Dave Haslam, Cllr. Carl Powling, Mr. Mike Quinn.

In 2018, in commemoration of the end of WW1, 50 steel soldiers were made by Duncan Pittock and erected on the Strood. They were an extraordinary sight. Mersea Islanders Mr. Mike Quinn and Mr. Dave Haslam were inspired by the moving sight of the Strood Soldiers and sought permission from West Mersea Town Council to erect a permanent memorial at Barfield Road Cemetery in honour of those Island residents who gave their lives during WW1. Permission was granted and with the help and support of Duncan Pittock and Terence Smith a life-size silhouette was made in steel for attachment to the railings at the Barfield Road entrance. The figure is at the ‘rest on reversed arms’ position which is a military drill command used as a mark of respect at funerals and on occasion of mourning. It is made from heavy gauge untreated steel which will be allowed to mellow over time. The soldier remains at the cemetery and it is hoped the silhouette will serve as an enduring reminder of all those who have made ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country.

A group of volunteers have carried out a Restoration Project at Barfield Road Cemetery to restore it to its original state and they have done a great job. 

Location map: Barfield Road, West Mersea, Mersea Island, Essex, CO5 8QT  

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Contact Details

West Mersea Town Council
10 Melrose Road, West Mersea
Colchester, Essex, CO5 8JD

 

Email: carol.fountain@westmerseatowncouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01206 382128

Office opening hours:
Monday & Friday
9am to 12pm.

You can still contact us by telephone and email at other times.