From The Daily Record UK

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Brave Scot Bill Millin who played the pipes as bullets flew on D-Day beach dies aged 87

Aug 19 2010 By Charlie Gall

HEROIC Scot Bill Millin, who bravely played the bagpipes as British soldiers were cut down around him during the D-Day landings, has died aged 87.

Dubbed Piper Bill, he was only 21 when his regiment - 1 Special Services Brigade - surged on to Sword Beach on June 6, 1944.

Waist-deep in the water and wading to shore under fierce resistance - wearing a kilt his father had worn during World War I - Glasgow-born Bill was among the bravest of D-Day's many heroes.

His courage was so inspirational, it featured in The Longest Day, the Oscar-winning 1962 film about the landings.

By D-Day, the Army had banned pipers from playing on the front line as they were sitting ducks for snipers.

But Bill's commander, Lord Lovat, ignored the order (gee, thank you Sir) and told his personal piper to play Highland Laddie and Road To The Isles to lift morale as his comrades fell around him.

Were it me writing the headline, it would read, "Piper Bill Millin, Legendary Crazy Bastard, Dead at 87"

With nothing but my utmost, absolute and sincerest respect.