Statue D-Day Piper Bill Millin
Alexander Braun • July 27, 2023
Tribute to a fine man and hero of the Battle of Normandy
On June 8, 2013, a life-size bronze statue of bagpiper Bill Millin was unveiled to commemorate his heroic actions during the D-Day landings at Sword Beach.
Bill Millin's son John (left) attended the ceremony and gave a moving tribute to his father, who died Aug. 18, 2010, at the age of 88. Several bagpipe bands played that sunny day in honor of Bill Millin. Later, a Spitfire flew several flyovers to the cheers of the crowd.
Bill Millin was Lord Lovat's personal piper and led the British commandos to the French coast. Except for the ceremonial dagger in his stocking, he was unarmed and played fearlessly as the men fell around him.
As the brigade moved away from the beach, Piper Millin played on, leading the Commandos across Pegasus Bridge. The Germans said they did not shoot him because they thought he had "gone crazy."
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