Bagpipers

soren1941 · 05-08-2008, 11:20 PM

Hi Guys,

In the process of a D Day picture, I seem to remember that there was a piper on the beach, is that the case?

Cheers

Soren

Roxy · 05-08-2008, 11:30 PM

There was in 'The Longest Day'! Does that count?

Roxy

Owen · 05-08-2008, 11:33 PM

Photographer: Evans, J L (Capt)
No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: OPERATION OVERLORD (THE NORMANDY LANDINGS): D-DAY 6 JUNE 1944
Collection No.: 4700-29

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 on the right is the brigade's bagpiper, Piper Bill Millin.

Just Google Bill Millin.

Look here>>> Piper Bill Millin

soren1941 · 05-08-2008, 11:40 PM

That's Brilliant!

handtohand22 · 06-08-2008, 01:31 AM

There were probably many pipers. Here is a short piece from the Bill Balmer story.

Lizzy McKinney had three sisters and four brothers. One brother, called Johnny, was a piper in the Royal Fusiliers. He was wounded during the D-Day landings as he piped the troops ashore. He convalesced in Derby Infirmary. Two of his sisters were nurses in Derby. Their names were Martha Wiebe and Sarah Simpson.

When Johnny knew they were going to visit him he played a macabre trick on them. He took his left arm out of the sleeve of his pyjamas and pretended he was an amputee. His sisters were shocked but after they hugged him one of them gave him a hefty smack on the cheek for his prank.

After he recuperated Johnny was discharged as medically unfit for military service. Johnny then worked on the railway in England and achieved the rank of Inspector.

Slipdigit · 06-08-2008, 02:01 AM

Is there any evidence that the Pipers endured a higher than usual mortality rate? Did it appear that they were singled out?

marcus69x · 06-08-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipdigit

Is there any evidence that the Pipers endured a higher than usual mortality rate? Did it appear that they were singled out?

Good question Slip. Tried to have a google but couldn't find anything.

I can't imagine them being singled out, being unarmed and all, but then again they would make a good target. I suppose the same could be said for the chaplains. Walking about with their rosary beads and bibles.

As Malarky said, "crazy fools the Irish".

sapper · 06-08-2008, 10:32 AM

The Commandos landed some time after the main force. The beach head had been secured, They made their way to Pegasus with the piper playing. The Sappers had already arrived, leaning against the bridge....and watched this brave show with some admiration.

Though I must say that I have seen some pretty violent action on the day we took the city of Caen. All to the sound of the pipes of the Kings own Scottish Borderers. (KOSBS)
Sapper

Paul Reed · 06-08-2008, 11:26 AM

I have found the graves of a number of Pipers in Normandy cemeteries; especially in areas where the 15th (Scottish) and 51st (Highland) Divs fought. Am sure there are some photos of a Piper leading men into action near Cheux?

Owen · 06-08-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Am sure there are some photos of a Piper leading men into action near Cheux?

Yes Paul , these ones.

Photographer: Laing (Sgt)
No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
Collection No.: 4700-29

Description: Led by a piper, men of 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 15th (Scottish) Division, move forward during Operation 'Epsom', 26 June 1944.
Period

Photographer: Laing (Sgt)
No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN 1944
Collection No.: 4700-29

Description: Led by their piper, men of 7th Seaforth Highlanders, 15th (Scottish) Division advance during Operation 'Epsom', 26 June 1944.
Period: Second World War

05-08-2008, 11:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Roxy Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elgin, Moray Posts: 65	There was in 'The Longest Day'! Does that count? Roxy __________________ Remembering my good mates Flt Lt Al Squires and CXX/3 who died in Afghanistan on 2 Sep 06. Also remembering my ggf Pte Thomas Roberts who fought for his country in The Great War and died on 25 Sep 15 at Loos. And my gf Pte Thomas Roxburgh who fought for his country in the Second World War and survived.

05-08-2008, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
soren1941 Living in Ypres Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ypres Posts: 517	That's Brilliant! __________________ Sample 'Michael Wittmann' Passchendaele Prints ~ WW1 & WW2 themed prints http://passchendaeleprints.com/ I begin with the principle that all men are bores. Surely no one will prove himself so great a bore as to contradict me in this. Soren Kierkegaard

06-08-2008, 02:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
Slipdigit The Dixie Division Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Not far enough in the woods Posts: 1,629	Is there any evidence that the Pipers endured a higher than usual mortality rate? Did it appear that they were singled out? __________________ Warmest Regards, Jeff The Bonnie Blue Flag *

06-08-2008, 11:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,590	I have found the graves of a number of Pipers in Normandy cemeteries; especially in areas where the 15th (Scottish) and 51st (Highland) Divs fought. Am sure there are some photos of a Piper leading men into action near Cheux? __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

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05-08-2008, 11:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,456	Photographer: Evans, J L (Capt) No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit Title: OPERATION OVERLORD (THE NORMANDY LANDINGS): D-DAY 6 JUNE 1944 Collection No.: 4700-29 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 on the right is the brigade's bagpiper, Piper Bill Millin. Just Google Bill Millin. Look here>>> Piper Bill Millin

06-08-2008, 01:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
handtohand22 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Coleraine Co. Londonderry NI Posts: 312	There were probably many pipers. Here is a short piece from the Bill Balmer story. Lizzy McKinney had three sisters and four brothers. One brother, called Johnny, was a piper in the Royal Fusiliers. He was wounded during the D-Day landings as he piped the troops ashore. He convalesced in Derby Infirmary. Two of his sisters were nurses in Derby. Their names were Martha Wiebe and Sarah Simpson. When Johnny knew they were going to visit him he played a macabre trick on them. He took his left arm out of the sleeve of his pyjamas and pretended he was an amputee. His sisters were shocked but after they hugged him one of them gave him a hefty smack on the cheek for his prank. After he recuperated Johnny was discharged as medically unfit for military service. Johnny then worked on the railway in England and achieved the rank of Inspector.

06-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,512	The Commandos landed some time after the main force. The beach head had been secured, They made their way to Pegasus with the piper playing. The Sappers had already arrived, leaning against the bridge....and watched this brave show with some admiration. Though I must say that I have seen some pretty violent action on the day we took the city of Caen. All to the sound of the pipes of the Kings own Scottish Borderers. (KOSBS) Sapper

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