A MEMORIAL to American servicemen who lost their lives during the Second World War will be unveiled at Nuthampstead on Saturday. The unveiling of the £3,000 memorial will be carried out by Dr Russell Blowers, chaplain of the 55th Fighter Group Association

A MEMORIAL to American servicemen who lost their lives during the Second World War will be unveiled at Nuthampstead on Saturday.

The unveiling of the £3,000 memorial will be carried out by Dr Russell Blowers, chaplain of the 55th Fighter Group Association and will commemorate the 39 men killed during the war.

The 55th Fighter Group was stationed at Nuthampstead from October 1943 to April 1944, and taken over there from the 398th Bomb Group.

Wally Blackwell, the president of the group's memorial association and a former pilot, three members of the 55th Fighter Group, who were based at Nuthampstead in 1943, and 40 members of the 398 Bomb Group from the US will be taking part in the ceremony.

Wilfrid Dimsdale, who is organising the unveiling, said: "This is likely to be a rather unique event. It will be the first time members from the two groups will have met."

Russell Abbey, who lives in Braughing, conducted the research that had to be agreed with the American Battle Monuments Commission before permission was granted for the placing of the new memorial.

"Without Russell, this wouldn't have happened. His research was so meticulous," said Mr Dimsdale.

The memorial will be unveiled on the site where a memorial to 398 Bomber Group's is already in place.

Following the ceremony on Saturday, a special service will be held at St George's Church in Anstey on Sunday at 11am.

- A special booklet with details about the veterans attending the ceremony is being produced and will be available at Nuthampstead on Saturday. It will cost £3.