A MEMORIAL to honour the lives of an American aircrew whose plane crashed off the Anglesey coast 75 years ago is to be held in Holyhead.

The US crew of the Liberator Bomber B24 42-51232 R4-J, fondly nicknamed the 'Jigs Up' smashed into the cliffs off North Stack on December 22, 1944.

Eight of the 10 airmen aboard died after parachuting into the Irish Sea, although the pilot and and co-pilot survived.

The plane had been returning to Britain, following a mission over Germany. As it returned to Liverpool Airport the weather deteriorated and it was directed to land at RAF Valley. On approach to North Stack, the plane ran out of fuel and the airmen bailed out. Their bodies were never recovered from the sea.

Twenty years ago, a diver discovered the Jigs Up wreck and recovered two propellers. One is now displayed at a military museum in Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and the other is in the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead.

In 2014, after consultation with Matthew W. Barnum, former American Ambassador, the North Stack Memorial Group, hosted Colonel Travis Willis and his sons, representing the US, to take part in a Memorial Service held at the Breakwater Country Park.

Now, to mark the 75th anniversary of the tragedy, a memorial is being held at 11am, on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

An Air Attaché Lt Col Thomas 'Shack' Graham will represent the American Ambassador, American Embassy and the American people at the Memorial Ceremony.

Also taking part are Welsh and British Government representatives, MPs and AM, Mayor of Holyhead Alan Williams, Anglesey County Council vice chairman Glyn Haines, Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, the Armed Forces, Welsh Guards, RAF, Army, Navy and British Legion carrying 'standards', RNLI, Coastguards, Holyhead High School pupils, Brodyr Magee Bros, Holyhead and Bangor Male Voice Choir, community and churches, Reverend Wardle (St Cybi's Church) and the Right Reverend Peter Brignall (Bishop of Wrexham).

Holyhead High School pupils Aidan Yeomans will light a candle, Cella Bounds-Okwilosa will sing Amazing Grace and Jessica Hazellar will read a dedication from the First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Jeff Evans said: "This will be a poignant occasion with the propeller placed on top of a 4.5 tonne rock, draped with the USA, Welsh and British Flags, schoolchildren will be accompanied by the Holyhead and Bangor Male Voice Choir,who will sing the USA and Welsh National Anthems."

Citations will be read, wreaths laid; and the RNLI Lifeboat will place 5,000 poppies near the crash site.

Mr Evans added: "The North Stack Memorial Group want to again honour the memory of the Jigs Up crew, our Allies, whose bodies remain forever many thousands of miles from their homes, lost as they contributed to the effort to end a war and secure peace and freedom. We want the community to join us."

The group has upgraded the memorial site and will also unveil a commemoration bench.