Scottish piper Bill Millin was one of the legendary characters of the Second World War, storming Sword Beach at Normandy during D-Day while playing the bagpipes.
On Saturday, his grandson Jacob Millin put on a special performance at The Railway Tavern's veterans breakfast in Dereham.
Paul Sandford, landlord at The Railway Tavern in Dereham, with Jacob Millin and Beverley Cooper (Image: Paul Sandford)
“I pipe to encourage others to remember not only my grandfather but all those who fought and fell,” Jacob said.
“I feel it is important that my generation – the grandchildren of those who so bravely gave their all – ensure that their memory never fades.
“My grandfather was a giant of a man to many and I am proud to be involved in keeping the story alive.”
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Bill was commander Lord Lovat's personal piper in the 1st Commando Brigade when he landed at the beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
He was the only man who wore a kilt during the landings - the same Cameron tartan kilt his father had worn in Flanders during the First World War.
He was immortalised in the 1962 film The Longest Day and stormed Sword Beach armed only with his traditional dirk dagger sheathed inside his kilt-hose.
Piper Bill Millin performing for soldiers (Image: IWM)
Pipers had traditionally been used in battle by Scottish and Irish soldiers, but by the Second World War the use of bagpipes was restricted to rear areas between the frontline and home territory.
However, Lord Lovat ignored this and ordered his piper, then aged 21, to play.
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Bill Millin exiting the landing craft playing his bagpipes to storm Sword Beach at Normandy during D-Day on June 6, 1944 (Image: IWM)
When Private Millin demurred, Lord Lovat replied: "Ah, but that's the English War Office - you and I are both Scottish, and that doesn't apply."
The D-day legend later said he talked to captured German snipers who claimed they did not shoot at him because they thought he had gone mad.
WATCH: D-Day bagpiper's grandson continues his legacy with performance at Norfolk pub
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10.04.2024
Scottish piper Bill Millin was one of the legendary characters of the Second World War, storming Sword Beach at Normandy during D-Day while playing the bagpipes.
On Saturday, his grandson Jacob Millin put on a special performance at The Railway Tavern's veterans breakfast in Dereham.
Paul Sandford, landlord at The Railway Tavern in Dereham, with Jacob Millin and Beverley Cooper (Image: Paul Sandford)
“I pipe to encourage others to remember not only my grandfather but all those who fought and fell,” Jacob said.
“I feel it........
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