Local pipers to play their part in D-Day commemorations
A group of local pipers have been asked to take part in national D-Day commemorations.
For the 80th anniversary of D-Day, pipers around the UK have been playing ‘Highland Laddie’ a tune that veterans had said lifted their spirits and increased their determination on 6 June 1944, the day of the Normandy landings which laid the foundations for the Allied victory in the Second World War.
The pipers will be playing in memory of Bill Millin, just 21 at the time, who played his bagpipes as he led the 1st Commando Brigade ashore on the beaches of Normandy. Pipers from all over the UK have been playing since March and the Guernsey Group will start on 18 May.
‘Along with other jurisdictions we have been asked to play,’ said piper Kevin McLagan.
‘We will be piping together on the 18 May before we are all playing in different locations around the island every day at 8am, when we will play the Highland Laddie for Bill Millin.’
They will be playing at the St Peter Port Parish War Memorial on 18, 21 and 26 May, Delancey Park War Memorial on 19 May, the White Rock on 20 May, Candie Gardens on 22 May, St Saviour’s Parish War Memorial on 23 May, the Bulstrode entrance at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital on 24 May, St Martin’s Parish War Memorial on 25 May, and finish at Castle Cornet on 27 May.
‘Preparations are going well,’ said Mr McLagan.
‘We played in town for the St George’s Day parade as well last Sunday.’
