Bill Millin Reenactor

**Kilted Karl** · 30th December 14, 04:56 PM

Dear Rabble,

I started a thread a little while back (http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ns-kilt-80390/) asking for help with Bill Millin's kilt. I have been hard at work since then but have had very little to show for it. I have received a lot of help and encouragement from the rabble and would like to finally show you what I have been working on for the last two years.

This is just the uniform. Photos of full D-Day kit will, hopefully, follow someday soon.

The F~S knife, Lovat Scouts Badge, Belt, and Puttees, are original. Everything else is reproduction. Please pardon the incorrect boots, my ammo boots are in the mail.

The Kilt, sporran, Sigan Dubh, and F~S knife sheath were made by me. The Kilt (the second one that I have made) is a Cameron Highlanders "Military Box" pleated kilt in the Cameron of Erracht tartan.

And even though it is a commando beret and not a RR bonnet...

I had to do one with the look

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

**kiltedtom** · 30th December 14, 05:39 PM

Karl,

Everything looks excellent! I can see why it took you quite a while to finish. Congratulations on a job well done.

Tom

**Liam** · 30th December 14, 06:32 PM

Well done!

**OC Richard** · 30th December 14, 06:57 PM

What a beautiful kilt! I've long wanted one of those, I've always liked the pipers' kit of The Cameron Highlanders.

Having long been a re-enactor myself (though dormant through long stretches) and having looked through many hundreds of WWII military photos, I wonder about a few things.

The caveat is that my familiarity is with ordinary British military dress, including pipers' dress, in WWII.

What I don't know anything about is if this individual was known to appear in non-standard dress (like Generals Montgomery and Patton were).

Reenactors have fanatical eyes for detail... may I offer some images...

**Micric** · 30th December 14, 07:07 PM

That's a bonny kilt. That and the battledress both fit perfectly I would say. Congrats!

Not sure how well a F~S will say down the hose. Awful heavy handle on those!
Maybe the wrap -around puttees should be would up the leg a little. Not much,.... but just enough to show the overlaps on the lower side. Makes them less bulky- looking.
Not meant as fault -finding, more constructive.....
Again a wonderful job, and one I could never tackle!

Richard.

**Kilted Karl** · 30th December 14, 08:03 PM

OC Richard and Micric,

Thank you for your helpful comments!

OC Richard, I believe you must be right about the badge, do you have any idea where I could get one like you have pictured?

The sporran I have is an exact replica (as exact as I could get from pictures) of Mr. Millins personal sporran and it definitely did not have a stud fastener like the one you posted.

The interesting thing about Mr. Millin is that he was a Commando, one of the demonstrators at Achnacharry Castle and was not an official bagpiper. His playing on D-Day was something of a made up on the fly sort of a thing so his uniform is an interesting combination of standard items and personal things.

OC Richard, do you know where I could get some of the scarlet Military garters and hose you mention?

Bill Millin wore a Commando beret same as the other Commandos.

Once again, Thank you very much for your helpful comments!

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl