Lord Lovat's D-Day Piper Passes

**kiltimabar** · 20th August 10, 04:00 PM

Bill Millin, piper serving with the 1st Special Service Brigade on Sword Beach, whose piping inspired the troops on that eventful day, has passed at age 88. Wading ashore in waist-high water, he reported that it "caused his kilt to float." (I always heard that kilts were not worn in combat by that date. I wonder if pipers were an exception to that rule, and if there are any others.) The episode was depicted in the film "The Longest Day."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...ll-Millin.html

**beloitpiper** · 20th August 10, 04:56 PM

He will be remembered.

Not only were kilts not worn, but bagpipes were not allowed in battle at that time. However, Lord Lovat himself specifically ordered Millin to don the kilt and play the pipes during the invasion as a way to boost morale.

**Standard** · 21st August 10, 08:56 PM

This article was definately the more informative and better of the two articles I've read about the man. He was very brave indeed. I hope the statue/memorial to him is completed soon.

**Schiehallion** · 22nd August 10, 04:10 AM

What an inspiration !

**Mike_Oettle** · 24th August 10, 04:28 AM

Beloitpiper wrote: “Lord Lovat himself specifically ordered Millin to don the kilt and play the pipes during the invasion as a way to boost morale.”
It would have been just like Lovat to defy standing orders in that way.
It showed great style, on both his part and Millin’s.
Regards,
Mike

**macwilkin** · 24th August 10, 05:26 AM

I wonder if the mods could combine all of the threads (at least 3) on Piper Millin?

T.

**cavscout** · 24th August 10, 06:09 AM

I can't verify the validity of this blog to be an official donation point for the Memorial but it has some interesting photos.

http://ddaypiperbillmillin.over-blog.com/