Rowlands Castle Kings Memorial

​​Rowlands Castle was situated in the eastern part of Marshalling Area A in the Portsmouth Area. This was an area where several camps known as marshalling camps were formed. These camps were constructed to allow space for thousands of troops to be billeted during the build up to D-Day in 1944. One camp was located at Rowlands Castle itself in the grounds of Stanstead Park. 

​​It was here at this roadside location that King George VI came to inspect the men of the British 3rd Infantry Division who were located in the marshalling camps around the area. 

​These men were inspected at numerous locations by the King before a march past and salute took place here. The location is now marked by this memorial that commemorates the men who then went on to invade occupied Europe on 6 June 1944. 

​ ​The memorial inscription reads: 

​​‘Here on 22 May 1944 His Majesty King George VI reviewed and bade God speed to his troops about to embark for invasion and liberation of Europe. DEO GRATIAS’​