Unveiling of the statue of Piper Bill Millin

Unveiling of the statue of Piper Bill Millin - Dawlish Museum

08 June 2013 08 June 2013

When: 08 June 2013
Where: Colleville-Montgomery, Normandy, France
Time: 10-30am - 5pm
Cost: None
Suitable for: Any age

A full sized bronze statue of Piper Bill Millin will be unveiled on June 8th. it will commerate his heroic actions during the D-Day landings at Sword Beach.

Bill Millin was the personal piper to Lord Lovat and piped the invasion forces on to the shores of France. Unarmed apart from the ceremonial dagger in his stocking, he played unflinchingly as men fell around him.

As the Brigade moved off the beach Piper Millin continued playing and played the commandos over Pegasus Bridge. Afterwards he commented that 'it seemed like a very long bridge'. The Germans apparently said that they didn't shoot him because they thought he had 'gone off his head'.

Bill Millin's pipes and regalia are to be found in Dawlish Museum. He donated them after living in the town for many years.

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