American soldiers will be remembered with the unveiling of a plaque at the station where they set off to take part in D-Day.

To mark the 80th anniversary of historic event in June 1944, the plaque is to be unveiled at the Swanage station from where young American soldiers boarded a train on the first leg of their journey to the horrors of Omaha Beach in Normandy.

The tribute is to be unveiled on Monday, May 27, at 1.30pm in the presence of Peter Lovett, a D-Day veteran who lives in Swanage, together with civic and community guests.

The poignant plaque remembers and honours the men of the 26th Infantry Regiment of the US Army’s First Infantry Division which was known as the ‘Big Red One’.

Bournemouth Echo: American GI Bill Lee in Swanage 1944 American GI Bill Lee in Swanage 1944 (Image: ANDREW PM WRIGHT)

The American troops were billeted in Swanage between November, 1943, and April, 1944, while they trained for D-Day.

Their journey would begin in Swanage before heading off to Weymouth and Portland where many of 'Big Red One' boarded the landing craft destined for northern France.

Swanage Railway Trust trustee Robert Patterson said: “The billeting of the American GIs in Swanage is an important part of the town's history and it was clear that the Swanage Railway should commemorate this as well as the role that our railway played and the sacrifices made by the young men as they fought for our freedom.

Bournemouth Echo: American military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach Normandy American military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach Normandy (Image: ANDREW PM WRIGHT)

“The plaque will have a prominent position on the station platform to remind and educate our passengers about this momentous part of our history and the small part the Swanage Railway played in helping to secure the Allied victory against Nazi tyranny.

“The Swanage Railway transported the American GIs, and their equipment, to and from the town as well as also being an important link for the soldiers to happier times - away from the harshness of training for war - by transporting them on weekend passes to Bournemouth and London."

He added: “The plaque is an important reminder of the sacrifices that many young men made for our freedom - particularly the young American troops who made friends in Swanage but subsequently lost their lives during the attack on Omaha beach in Normandy on the morning of D-Day, 1944."

Bournemouth Echo: Ex-American GI Bill Lee returns Swanage 1989 Ex-American GI Bill Lee returns Swanage 1989 (Image: ANDREW PM WRIGHT)

The late Bill Lee, who lived in the town of Mount Vernon in Illinois, was a 23-year old American with the 26th Infantry Regiment in Swanage between November, 1943, and April, 1944, and made a nostalgic return to the seaside town 45 years later.

Speaking in 1989, Bill said: “The Swanage railroad was a vital link to happy times with new-found friends.

"It took us away from the harshness of training for war and was a friendly little line. I still recall it and remember the kind people I met there with affection.

“The people of the Isle of Purbeck were an important part of our lives and we needed that. We were brash, different and full of bravado but they took us in as part of their families – and for that we will always be grateful and never forget."