Gravesham's War Memorials
After the First World War, many War Memorials were created to honour those who had died. In the Borough of Gravesham alone, there were over 60 different types of commemoration, and nearly all of them named the men who had died.
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When the First World War began local newspapers printed Rolls of Honour - a list of local men who were Regular soldiers, Reservists, Territorials and Volunteers who were about to play a part in the coming conflict - the Gravesend Reporter - or to give it it's full title - the Gravesend & Dartford Reporter, Northfleet Reporter, North Kent & South Essex Advertiser was one of these that created these lists on a weekly basis along with the Kent Messenger (it's full title was Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telepgraph and Dartford News).
The Town Hall Memorial ​
The first official war memorial in Gravesham was unveiled during the First World War as a temporary tribute to local men who had fallen in the conflict. Located initially outside Gravesend Town Hall, the memorial took the form of a wooden installation bearing the names of the dead, hand-painted on panels. ​Originally composed of four wooden panels, it was later expanded to six to accommodate additional names. The names were arranged in rough alphabetical order, though inconsistently, and listed with varying degrees of detail—some included full forenames, others only initials, alongside assorted military ranks and unit designations. ​At the top of the memorial was a triangular panel featuring the name of the then-mayor — “Huggins Mayor” — positioned either side of the town’s coat of arms. Beneath this was a scroll-edged panel inscribed with a solemn civic dedication:
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"The Corporation hereby place upon Record the Names of Gravesend Men who have fallen in the War. It is intended that on the Proclamation of Peace, these Names shall be suitably & honourably recorded upon a permanent Memorial worthy of the Great Sacrifice that has been made for the cause of Freedom & the Empire."
Gravesend Town Hall in the High Street
Gravesend Town Hall War Memorial
Unveiling on All Saints’ Day – 1 November 1917​
The memorial was unveiled at a special service on Thursday 1 November 1917 at 3.30 p.m., chosen by the Mayor Henry Huggins to coincide with All Saints’ Day. ​Proceedings began with a meeting of the Town Council, where a resolution was passed expressing the town’s appreciation of the men’s sacrifice. This resolution, along with the list of names, was formally recorded in the minutes and preserved in the town archives. A religious service followed in the Town Hall, coordinated by Rev. Canon Gedge (Rector) and Rev. A. G. Bracher (Chairman of the Free Church Council). Hymns included: For All the Saints. The Saints of God and O God, Our Help in Ages Past. ​After the service, the Mayor unveiled the temporary memorial, and Certificates of Honour were presented to the families of the fallen. The wooden panels were then positioned outside the Town Hall for public viewing.
Certificate of Honour presented to Clara Alice Thomas, the wife of Private Thomas Allen, a pre war Regular soldier who had served on the Punjab Frontier in India, then in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War before finally re-enlisting with the 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment during WW1. He died aged 44 years old on active service on 27 March 1917
Relocation in 1937
In 1937, the memorial was moved and a new inscription was added at this time, acknowledging the move:
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“This Panel, displayed in front of the Town Hall from 1917–1937, was, by order of the Council, removed to its present position, the permanent memorial in Windmill Hill Gardens having been in the meantime duly erected.”
The relocation was intended to preserve the memorial as a historic artefact but in 1968, Gravesend’s municipal offices were moved to a new location, and the original Town Hall building became the local Magistrates’ Court. It remained in this role until the court’s closure in 2000.
The building continued to be owned by Kent County Council until at least 2025, during which time it has served a variety of purposes.
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Unfortunately, due to its position and the changing nature of the building’s use, the memorial has suffered from ongoing neglect. Despite its historical and emotional significance, its location has made it vulnerable to inappropriate treatment. On multiple occasions, bags of rubbish and miscellaneous items have been stacked against or around the panels, causing physical damage and undermining the dignity of the memorial space.
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These incidents have been personally witnessed and reported, raising serious concerns about the long-term care and preservation of this important piece of Gravesham’s heritage.
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