Ref. 26263-51STABLES once occupied by troops of the famous Easy Company before and after they went out to the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy could soon be dismantled and shipped to the US to form part of a lasting tribute to the soldiers.

The Evening Advertiser can reveal plans to transport the six stables from the centre of Aldbourne to Taccoa in the US state of Georgia home of the legendary company that formed part of 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Under the proposals, the stables will be re-erected next to a train depot from where troops boarded trains to join the war in Europe.

Chris Anderson, editor of the US magazine World War II, which is spearheading the project, says he is keen to get the ball rolling.

"It is all up in the air at the moment but we are confident that we can raise the funds to make it happen. We are listening to a lot of corporate organisations about possible sponsorship," he said.

"For many, these stables were the last place that many of these guys could really call home. The idea is to bring these stables to the US as a kind of thank you to the veterans who made such big sacrifices."

The story of Easy Company was immortalised in the Steven Spielberg-produced hit TV drama Band of Brothers, starring Damian Lewis.

Family-run woodworking firm Sowerby and Son of Aldbourne look favourites to land the contract.

Stephen Sowerby said: "The stables were built in the 1920s. The owners want to get rid of them and this would seem like a good home. We are hopefully going to get involved in the dismantling of it."

Son Keith said: "It seems a great idea because the stables have fallen into disrepair.

"The operation is going to require a lot of planning or we'll end up with a load of matchwood. We are confident that the Americans will look after them. It is a good thing that they are being sent over there."

The firm says it will recruit the services of Sam McCallum and Tim Green of Newbury-based Harwood Oak Building to assist them in the work that could begin this autumn.

Many troops from 506 Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division were based in Aldbourne while they awaited deployment to Europe, and they also stayed there on the way back to America.

According to owner, Mike Sted-man, there were between 30 and 40 riding stables during the war, but the rest have since been built over with housing.

He said: "These stables are really in a state of disrepair now.

"I would rather they go to a good home where they will be looked after and appreciated. It is a great idea and hopefully the plan will happen."

Easy Company said to be one of the finest rifle companies in the US Army received notoriously hard training in readiness for the horrors of war they were to later face.

Easy Company

On June 6 1944, Easy Company was dropped into Normandy in the wrong place. For the next 30 or so days, Easy fought in every major battle, including the fight for Carentan.

In early July they were sent back to England. From July to September, Easy got back into the routine of garrison life. They then jumped into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. After 72 days of combat, Easy Company moved to a rest camp.

Next stop was Bastogne. Between Christmas and January 17 they experienced heavy fighting.

For the next month they helped hold the line along the Moder River. In April 1945, Easy went back into action around Dsseldorf fighting close to the Ruhr pocket.