Photographed on the bright cold morning of November 12th 2003 is the simple memorial to Canadian forces massed with the allies in the weeks before commencement of the D Day invasion on June 6th 1944. Visible are the recently placed tributes to coincide with the November 11th Armistice anniversary.

This has been erected in recent years near the site of the old Stoney Cross Aerodrome, one of several forest aerodromes built during World War 11.  The sparsely populated New Forest was an ideal location for assembling an invasion force, dense woodland to hide the vast build-up of men and equipment and flat open heathland which enabled airfields to be constructed comparatively quickly and economically. The southern edge of the forest extended to the English Channel, within easy reach of many large and small shipping ports.
 

The inscription reads:

On this site a cross was
erected to the glory of God
on !4th April 1944.
Services were held here
until D Day 6th June 1944.
Men of the 3rd Canadian Division RCASC
 

Photos and text, Brian Corbett 2003.

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