Piper Bill Millin

**The Ulsterman** · 23rd March 08, 08:00 AM

Hello folks,...There have been many differing accounts of Piper Bill Millin on D-Day,
I was wondering if any member has any idea what kilt he wore when they advanced inland.
As far as i can gather,...he landed on the beach wearing battledress trousers, but later changed into a kilt before reaching the Bridge.
Does anyone know for sure what tartan he wore?
There are so many views about this, that it is hard to know which is true.

So,...did Bill change into a kilt?...or did he remain in trousers?
and if he did change into a kilt, what was the tartan?
His bagpipes are supposed to be in the Pegasus bridge museum (again controversy)..are they or aren't they....

....and the tartan on the pipe bag is said to be the Fraser tartan (badly faded)...so i would be interested in your thoughts or views on this matter.

Many thanks
Neil.

**JS Sanders** · 23rd March 08, 08:33 AM

Hey Neil -
I may be able to answer some of your questions... try these links:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...17/npipe17.xml

www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/bill_millin.htm

This pretty much tells you all I know - hope it helps.

Slainte,
steve

**macwilkin** · 23rd March 08, 08:37 AM

Here's what Millin's account of the landings on Sword has to say:

My kilt floated to the surface and the shock of the freezing cold water knocked all feelings of sickness from me and I felt great. I was so relieved of getting off that boat after all night being violently sick. I struck up the Pipes and paddled through the surf playing "Hieland Laddie", and Lord Lovat turned round and looked at me and [gestured approvingly].

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/bill_millin.htm

Since Millin was Lord Lovat's personal piper, my guess would be the kilt was in Fraser Hunting, since that was also the tartan of the Lovat Scouts.

Here is a more contemporary picture of Millin wearing the Fraser tartan:

http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.u...illinandme.jpg

Regards,

Todd

ps: Since we're discussing a specific tartan, I'll move this thread to the heraldry & tartans section.

**ccga3359** · 23rd March 08, 08:58 AM

From Wiki:

Description: The British 2nd Army: Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade landing from an LCI(S) (Landing Craft Infantry Small) on 'Queen Red' Beach, SWORD Area, at la Breche, at approximately 8.40 am, 6 June. The brigade commander, Brigadier the Lord Lovat DSO MC, can be seen striding through the water to the right of the column of men. The figure nearest the camera is the brigade's bagpiper, Piper Bill Millin
Source: IWMCollections IWM Photo No.: B 5103
Post-Work: User:W.wolny
Licence: Unrestricted in due to IWM

Neil, do we get a idea of your next project?
Todd, I include the Wiki link as they have a better picture tha Pegasus archive.

**northernsky** · 23rd March 08, 09:09 AM

Fascinating stuff. Never read about him before. Thanks for sharing.

**The Ulsterman** · 23rd March 08, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Neil, do we get a idea of your next project?

You just never know.

I am amazed at the flood of replies,.....thanks fellas,..
Todd, thanks for the links, It's an interesting theory about the Lovat Scouts tartan, I read somewhere, that the tartan on the pipebag was Fraser (hunting)....but was totally baffled as to the kilt tartan he wore.
I was always under the impression, that he had landed wearing battledress,...but the quote you supplied proves otherwise.
I know there was a lot of controversy about weather the pipes in the Pegasus museum were indeed the actual pipes he played on D-Day.....and i heard that the Dawlish museum also boast to have THE pipes.

Thanks anyway gents,..i will do a lot more reading at the links, and try to come to some sort of conclusion,.............one thing i do know though,...the piper in the film "The longest day" wasn't Bill millin.
It is reputed, that bill played himself in the movie, but he was actually played by Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee, who was the piper to the Queen Mother in 1961.
I also heard that there were a lot more photographs (and perhaps footage) of Millin on D-Day, but this was destroyed on it's way back to England.
If this is true,...it's such a pitty,..it would have answered all our queries.
Thanks again folks.
Neil.

**macwilkin** · 23rd March 08, 10:46 AM

one thing i do know though,...the piper in the film "The longest day" wasn't Bill millin.
It is reputed, that bill played himself in the movie, but he was actually played by Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee, who was the piper to the Queen Mother in 1961.

Just a wee OT here, but Richard Todd, who played Major John Howard in the movie, served with the 6th Airborne Division at Pegasus Bridge.

Up the Ox and Bucks!

T

**The Ulsterman** · 23rd March 08, 10:50 AM

Indeed he did Todd,......and as you say,..."up the Ox and Bucks"...and of course the Royal Ulster Rifles. (glider division)

Neil.

**ccga3359** · 23rd March 08, 10:56 AM

IMDB lists Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee in an uncredited role of Bill Millin. It also credits Bill Millin as himself (voice) in "The American Experience"
D-Day Remembered (1994).

**macwilkin** · 23rd March 08, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by The Ulsterman

Indeed he did Todd,......and as you say,..."up the Ox and Bucks"...and of course the Royal Ulster Rifles. (glider division)

Neil.

I had a good friend who dropped in with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regt., 82nd AB Division that day. He passed away in 1998 (may he rest in peace), but thankfully he was interviewed by one of Stephen Ambrose's staff for his book on D-Day back in the early '90s.

T.