In the years immediately following the First World War, the proposed Gravesend War Memorial became a subject of immense public interest and heated debate. Today, it’s hard to appreciate just how controversial the subject became. Questions arose over the very nature of a memorial: What should it look like? What was its purpose? Who should design it? Where should it be placed? And crucially, whose names should appear on it? One particularly divisive question was whether former mayors' names should be included.

The Gravesend Reporter and the Kent Messenger extensively covered the issue, publishing opinions and letters—some from as far afield as Dublin. The Council, eager to gauge public opinion, issued letters to the press and circulated public notices. While these efforts generated responses, they were sometimes met with ridicule.

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In January 1919, the first letters to the Gravesend Reporter began appearing. A correspondent using the name 'Invicta' proposed a novel idea: building a new Town Hall on the Woodville Gardens site, with a stone cross memorial in front. The façade of the old Town Hall would be retained and flanked by an arcade of shops leading to the Market Place. This plan gained traction, including support from Sidney Kneale Kelley of Wellington Street, who advocated for public buildings that could host concerts and meetings.

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By April 1919, attention had turned to raising funds. Concerns were raised over competing efforts like "Gratitude Week," which raised £326 (with £226 from public donations). Reverend Poole of St. James’ Church called this a humiliatingly small sum.

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Despite the ongoing debate, the idea of a stone memorial became more widely accepted. Many also favoured a central location, which ruled out Windmill Hill in the eyes of some. However, R. J. Tall of Darnley Road, writing in the Reporter on May 3rd, argued against “utilitarian” memorials, calling them misleading. He felt a memorial should be dignified and symbolic, commemorating the fallen with grace and permanence.

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The Mayor, James Berrey, took further steps by writing to the public for views on the most appropriate location (as noted in the Reporter on May 24th). The Council planned to discuss this at a meeting on May 28th.

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​Debate continued throughout the summer of 1919. Some called for hospital funding instead of a memorial; others wanted educational support for the children of the fallen. Letters published in May 22nd and 29th showed deeply divided public opinion.

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A Gravesend soldier, writing from France, expressed frustration in a letter published on January 3rd, 1920. He criticized both the proposed site—Windmill Hill—as too remote, and the simple stone cross as uninspired and cheap.

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Eventually, the Windmill Hill Gardens were selected as the site. However, another controversy erupted—should former Mayors' names be included on the memorial? Many objected, saying this would diminish the honour due to the fallen soldiers. In the end, the decision was made not to include them.