Bill Millin Scholarship & Fund
Purpose
The Learned Kindred of Currie ensures the legacy of Bill Millin and has established a scholarship fund to be awarded in his name.
Provided by the Learned Kindred of Currie
On June 6, 1944, during the D-Day invasion of World War II, Bill Millin, a Scottish soldier, was assigned to play the bagpipes while landing on Sword Beach. This act combined heroism and created an iconic moment in history linking the traditions of the past to the current conflict and inspiring the troops. His performance, of "Hielan' Laddie" and “The Road to the Isles”, provided a morale boost and ensured that Scottish heritage was present amid the chaos of battle. The event secured “Piper Bill’s” place in history.
Millin was born in Canada on July 14, 1922, but his family moved back to Scotland when he was three. Having volunteered for military service, he found himself among the troops landing at Normandy at age 21. As the story is told, bagpipers were forbidden in combat in World War II, and when ordered to lead the troops, he cited this regulation, but his commanding officer said, “…that was from the English war office…” and didn’t apply to them. Millin stated later that talking to captured German snipers, they claimed they had avoided shooting him because they thought he had gone mad.
Millin's action on D-Day was portrayed in the 1962 film The Longest Day. He passed on August 18, 2010, at age 88.
The Learned Kindred of Currie has made it one one of their goals to ensure the legacy of Bill Millin continues perpetually and toward that end has established a scholarship fund to be awarded in his name. The recipient of this scholarship will be a student who has exhibited outstanding talent and drive and a commitment as a piper.
Students can express their interest in this fund by contacting Gary Grant (ggrant@iona.edu).