Details of the unveiling of the memorial on Sunday April 3rd 1921 , including the order of service sheet and contemporary images, can be found at
https://www.leatherheadweb.org.uk/warmemorials/go_to_town_creation.html (option "Town Memorial Dedication"). It includes the following transcript of the report published in the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, Epsom District Times, and County Post on Saturday April 9th 1921:
"THE SONS OF LEATHERHEAD
WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED AND DEDICATED
The imposing memorial to the men of Leatherhead who died in the service of their country was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday afternoon. A huge concourse of the inhabitants of the town - probably between a quarter and a third of the population - assembled to take part in the great tribute to their brave fellow townsmen, so that it was, as far as one's knowledge goes, the largest religious service ever held in the town. For this reason as well as in respectful memory of those whose wonderful sacrifice on the altar of liberty was being commemorated, the event will be remembered throughout their lives by all who were present. All classes and creeds were represented. The service was an inspiring recognition of the courage, the devotion and the self-sacrifice of the gallant dead.
The memorial itself is, as far as it is possible for human beings to fashion one, worthy of the affectionate tribute the townspeople wished to pay to those who helped to uphold the cause of justice. It consists of an arcade facing a terrace in an enclosed space. On the terrace stands a Cross in which is inlaid a Crusader sword in bronze. On the wall beneath the arcade are ten series of tablets, each one of which records the name, rank, regiment, date and place of death of a soldier or a sailor who died in the Great War. On one large tablet in the middle of the smaller tablets, the following words are inscribed: "1914-1918. This Memorial commemorates those who, at the call of King and country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardship, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty, and of self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. May their names be held in everlasting remembrance by those who come after."
On a tablet on the front of the arcade and facing the roadway are the words:
" To the memory of the sons of Leatherhead." The Cross is of Cornish granite and stands upon a pedestal. Steps lead from the arcade to the terrace, and then to the entrance gate. The whole memorial is enclosed with a half wall and railings. The structure, with the Cross standing in the centre, is most impressive.
The cost of the memorial, with the exception of the Cross and the tablets, was met by Mr. C. F. Leach, of Vale Lodge, Leatherhead, whose son, 2nd-Lieut. Grey de Leche Leach, Scots Guards, was killed in the war. Mr. Leach also gave the ground upon which the memorial stands. The cost of the Cross and the tablets was met by a town's subscription. The architects of the arcade were Messrs. Stock, Page and Stock, of Denman-street, S.E., and the builders were Messrs. Grace and Marsh, Ltd., of Croydon.
THE IMPRESSIVE SERVICE
The unveiling and dedication service, on Sunday afternoon, took place in beautiful weather, the sun shining with the warmth of summer. It maintained its brilliance until the Last Post was being sounded, near the end of the service, when, as though with the passing of the souls of the gallant dead from the conflicts of life to the eternal peace of the realms beyond, it passed behind a cloud. People commenced assembling in the vicinity of the memorial about two o'clock. Shortly after that time a party of ex-service men, wearing their war decorations, marched to the memorial, under the command of Capt. G. C. W. Gregory, M.C. The party was headed by the Leatherhead Silver Prize Band. The ex-service men took their allotted places inside the enclosure, lining up on each side of the Cross from the entrance gate to the terrace. The united choir from all the churches, of which the conductor was Mr. H. G. Kimberley, assembled at the right-hand side of the upper terrace. Relatives and children of the fallen men had places on each side of the middle court. Members of the War Memorial Committee and of the Urban District Council stood at the left-hand side of the upper terrace. At 2.45, there came into the enclosure the Vicar of Leatherhead, the Rev. H. M. Brook (Minister of the Leatherhead Wesleyan Church), the Rev. E. A. Downes (Headmaster of St. John's School), the Rev. J. W. St. Clare Hill (Principal of the Royal School for the Blind), the Rev. H. E. Jameson, the Rev. R. B. Maurice (assistant Curate in Charge of All Saints' Church), and the Rev. H. E. Sumner (Minister of the Leatherhead Congregational Church).
A guard of honour from the 5th Batt. The East Surrey Regiment (Territorials), with their colours, received firstly Lieut.-Col. W. Allan Gillett, commanding the Battalion, along with Major G. B. Chetwynd-Stapylton, and then Major-Gen. Sir John R. Longley, K.C.M.G., C.B. (Commanding the South-Eastern area) who was accompanied by Mr. C. F. Leach, the donor of the major portion of the memorial. Major-Gen. Sir John R. Longley was received with the General Salute from the guards of honour of the Territorials and the ex-service men.
A GREAT SILENCE.
The service continued with the hymn "O valiant hearts, who to your glory came," the singing of which was led by the united choir, accompanied by instrumentalists of the Town Band. Then followed the reading by the Rev. H. M. Brook of passages from the Scriptures. Continuing the Service, the Rev. H. E. Sumner said : " Let us remember with all honour before God and men, and with thanksgiving, the men of this parish who gave their lives in the service of their King and country." The few moments silence which followed was deeply impressive. The mighty congregation stood reverently with bowed heads while they remembered with gratitude the sacrifice of their fellows. Prayers were then offered by the Rev. H. E. Sumner.
The ceremony of unveiling of the Cross followed. Mr. Leach, addressing Major-Gen. Sir John Longley, said : "Sir, on behalf of the people of Leatherhead, I ask you to unveil this memorial to the honour of her sons who gave us their lives for the benefit of their country." The Union Jack was removed from the Cross by the General, who, speaking with great feeling, said: " I unveil this memorial in honoured memory of the men of this parish who gave their lives for their King and country during the Great War. A ceremony such as we are taking part in this afternoon has, inevitably, very much that is sad about it. Yet, I would ask you to reflect on the occasion of this memorial on who it is that it commemorates, on what those men did for us, and for our children, how they died in the performance of their duty to preserve our liberty and that of all the world at large. Surely, when we thus reflect, our hearts must lose some of their sadness, and be filled instead with a glow of satisfaction and indeed of pride, when we reflect on those who have been taken from us as men who have added glory to our race, security to our country and freedom to the world.
"They do not die who fall in freedom's name,
Their souls live on a pure and holy flame.
If freedom e'er again such aid requires,
Here let her come to light her ancient fires."
"May this memorial, which I have just unveiled ever serve to remind those of us who are left, and those who come after, of the supreme sacrifice made by these, our brothers, and may all be inspired by their example, to show throughout their lives a right spirit of sacrifice for their country and for their fellow men."
A WREATH FROM THE CITIZENS.
Prayers for the dedication of the Cross were said by the Vicar, and, at their close, Mr. E. Barden, J.P. (Chairman of the Urban District Council) placed a beautiful wreath of laurels at the foot of the Cross. An inscription on this read : "From the Chairman, Vice Chairman and officials of the Urban District Council, representing the citizens of the town. A token of appreciation of her brave sons. Those who live in memory never die." The hymn, "For all the Saints, who from their labours rest," was sung, and the Vicar pronounced the Blessing. Then was sounded the sad, impressive call of the Last Post,
with its mournful notes, followed by the brighter, hopeful call of the Reveille. The National Anthem, sung heartily by all, concluded the service.
Before leaving, Major-Gen. Sir John Longley inspected the guard of honour of the ex-servicemen and spoke to several of the men, and he also inspected the guard of honour of Territorials.
At the close of the service a large number of wreaths were placed around the base of the Cross. Many of these were from bereaved relatives while others bore the following inscriptions: "In loving and affectionate remembrance of our fallen comrades, from the Leatherhead Branch of the Comrades of the Great War"; "In memoriam, from the Duke of Connaught Lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U.; From the Leatherhead Post Office staff , in loving and affectionate remembrance"; " In grateful remembrance of Firemen P. Skelton and W. Worsfold, members of the Leatherhead Fire Brigade, who gallantly laid down their lives for King and country during the Great War "; From the Leatherhead Town Silver Band, in loving Remembrance of our dear comrades, E. Haffenden, W. Bussey and G. Port."
Members of the Leatherhead Fire Brigade were present, under Chief Officer J. J. Cowan, being formed in line on Gravel Hill. Members of the Leatherhead Detachment of the British Red Cross Society did good work in attending to five cases of fainting, the first aid station being at the Fire Station.
The following forming a subcommittee of the War Memorial Committee, were responsible for the service, and it is to them that thanks are due that the ceremony passed off without a hitch: Mr. C. F. Leach, Mrs. Chapman, the Vicar of Leatherhead, Mr. E. Barden, J.P., Mr. E. H. Burgess, and Mr. S. R. Drake (hon. secretary).
While the assembly was waiting for the commencement of the service the Town Band played "Land of Hope and Glory", "The Honour of the Brave" (this consisting of the Dead March in Saul" and four hymns), and "The Grey Cloisters".
After the service was concluded, a muffled peal was rung on the bells at the Parish Church".
After a section headed ROLL OF HONOUR, which listed the names of the Fallen as itemised in the Order of Service, the newspaper report of the unveiling concluded:
"A report of the proceedings would be incomplete without a word of praise to the police, who, under the direction of Inspector E. Boshier, marshalled the spectators of the ceremony to their places, and also diverted all traffic from passing along North-street during the service".