HE was born and bred thousands of miles across the Atlantic, but the dying wish of an American GI was to be laid to rest in his beloved Fylde.

From 1942 to 1945 former WW2 aircraft technician, Sol Tauber -- who was in his 80s -- was based at Warton Aerodrome or Base Air Depot 2 (BAD2), as it was then known.

Sol was one of around 900 BAD2 soldiers who helped to assemble fighter planes shipped in from the US to supply the 300 US air bases throughout the UK.

As a member of ex-serviceman's association BAD2, named in honour of the old base, he often made trips back to the Fylde to be reunited with his wartime buddies and chat about old times.

Sol died in America last month of natural causes and, despite living most of his life in his native New Jersey, his last request was to have his remains brought to Britain and laid to rest at Warton.

Now an urn containing Sol's ashes -- together with those of his late wife Pauline, who died three months ago -- is set to be flown to Britain by his family for a special service on Tuesday, June 17. The couple's son, Ira, daughter, Eliza, their four children and a number of BAD2 veterans are due to make the long journey to watch as their ashes are buried inside the aerodrome grounds.

A commemorative mountain ash tree will also be planted in their memory.

Marton-based BAD2 co-ordinator, John Stinger, who is helping to organise the event says Sol's legacy is a "huge compliment" to the Fylde area.

John whose father was also a Warton-based GI during the war -- said: "Sol was a fantastic man and a good friend to everyone in the association.

"He never missed a reunion and came back to his beloved Britain with his wife every opportunity he got.

"There are a lot of GI's buried in the American war memorial cemetery in Cambridgeshire, but they are all soldiers who died on active service back in the 40s.

"Sol is the first GI to request to have his remains shipped back to Britain.

"It's a huge and unique compliment to the entire region that this man chose Warton as his final resting place."