AceShowbiz - The Bee Gees legend, Robin Gibb, spearheaded a campaign for the tribute, which will honor the airmen who gave their lives in World War II, and he helped raise the $9 million (GBP5.6 million) needed for the monument.

Robin Gibb saw his efforts finally pay off as he joined veterans and dignitaries at a turf-cutting ceremony, which marked the start of construction in the British capital's Green Park.

And the star admits he was filled with pride at the accomplishment, "The campaign for a permanent memorial to the men of bomber command has been very close to my heart and after three years' labor of love the day has come that the memorial is finally being built."

"It's been a lot of work, and there have been times it looked like it may not happen but we reached our goal! This memorial is one of the biggest in the center of London, and to be involved in this is a tremendous feeling."

The memorial will be unveiled in May 2012.