Bill Millin Reenactor

[Stitchwiz]

It might be best to go right to the source about where the badge should be worn - The British Army.

http://www.army.mod.uk/contact.aspx

There are several ways you could get the information you need. Have a look...

[MacGumerait]

Dear All,

I have bought proper boots, entrenching tool, and a P42 bergen. I should be able to post photos of full kit soon.

O.C. Richard, thanks to your help I have a pair of proper garters and my WPG hose are on the way. I still have not been able to find a Khaki Bagpiper's Badge.

I thank you all for your help.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

Karl , here is a khaki piper's badge . Not exactly of the WWII period , but similar .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Bag...item2c93f5806f

Cheers , Mike

[Kilted Karl]

Dear All,

Update, I have bought proper garters, military hose, and a few other things. I can't wait till it all gets here and I can put the full thing together for the first time.

:ootd: Karl

[Tarheel]

Dear All, I can't wait till it all gets here and I can put the full thing together for the first time.

With baited breath we share your "jonesing". Thanks for all you've offered so far.

[OC Richard]

I can't wait till it all gets here and I can put the full thing together for the first time.

I hear ya, I was in the same boat last year heading up to Old Fort MacArthur Days, when I debuted my Black Watch piper's uniform. The DIY spats were the biggest thing, but I had the DIY crossbelt, drone ribbons, and kilt rosettes to do too, and putting the insignia on the Khaki Drill tunic. Everything got done and I was very pleased with the outcome. Next is a WWII Battledress jacket that I'll insignia-up for the Highland Division's 154 Brigade, which included 1 Black Watch and 7 Black Watch.

The great thing about regimental pipers' kit is that it changed very little from the mid-19th century till today, and the same kilt, sporran, hosetops, spats, Glengarry, and belts can be worn with various jackets for various time periods.

Here's the khaki drill outfit, at Fort MacArthur last summer



which is this order of dress, except mine has the khaki drill tunic, below is the khaki serge tunic



My Battledress jacket will look like the one on the left, 1 BW and 7 BW, 154 Brigade (on the right is 5 BW, 153 Brigade)

[Kilted Karl]

O.C. Richard, I like it.

[Kilted Karl]

That was a short jones! My Bergen just arrived an hour ago! I have a photo shoot in full kit planned for next week sometime.

I still need some Fraser Lovat tartan to make a bag cover for my pipes. I currently just have a plain black bag cover.

Also, O.C. Richard (or anybody else who may know) how did WWII bagpipers carry their pipes when they were not playing them? I need something period to put them in when I am not playing at events.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

[OC Richard]

I've heard about canvas bags for carrying the pipes but I don't know if these existed, or what they looked like.

I don't know if they would have taken their wood pipe cases on campaign. I've seen plenty of those old wooden army pipe cases, quite compact but still a big thing to carry around North Africa and France.

[Kilted Karl]

O.C. Richard,

I was just rereading Bill Millin's memoirs. Turns out he left his "pipe box" on the landing craft and carried his pipes in his bergen during the Normandy Campaign. Is it possible to get those old pipe boxes any more?

Sincerely,


:ootd: Karl

[Kilted Karl]

Dear All,

Rain and horrible lighting notwithstanding, we went out and took photos today.

I still need a Lovat Fraser pipe bag cover, a Khaki piper's badge, a proper entrenching tool case and haft, a better sporran, and all of the webbing needs to be blancoed. But, this is the first time I have ever had everything on together. After working on this for two years, it feels pretty special.

All this has been done in an effort to honor Bill Millin and other veterans of WWII, I hope you all enjoy. As always, constructive criticism is very highly appreciated! The more you criticize, the better it gets













I thank you all so much for your help. It has been quite invaluable!

:ootd: Karl