Remembering the courage and sacrifice of the Parachute Regiment and Allied Airborne Forces during Operation Market Garden, September 1944.
They fought against overwhelming odds, and held their ground with extraordinary determination.
Ready for anything 🆎
#Arnhem#Paras
On this day in 1995, the last clan chief in history known to have led his men into battle died at the age of 83.
Simon Fraser, the 15th Lord Lovat, was the Chief of Clan Fraser.
He was the man Winston Churchill described, in a letter to Joseph Stalin, as “the mildest-mannered man that ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.”
The Scottish Commando chief whom Hitler placed a 100,000 Reichsmark bounty on, dead or alive.
He was a well respected man that already had a serious war record before D-Day.
The night before D-Day, Lovat addressed his men. He closed with this: “A hundred years from now, your children’s children will say - they must have been giants in those days.”
Then came June 6th, 1944. Sword Beach, Normandy.
As Brigadier of the 1st Special Service Brigade, Lord Lovat waded ashore leading 3,000 commandos into hell.
And behind him came the sound that made the whole scene unforgettable.
The English War Office had strictly banned bagpipes in battle. They said it was too conspicuous. Too dangerous.
Lovat brought his personal piper, Bill Millin, and gave the order: “Play us ashore.”
When Millin hesitated, citing the regulations, Lovat smiled and replied:
“Ah, but that’s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn’t apply.”
So Millin played Highland Laddie, The Road to the Isles, and All The Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border.
Men fell around them. Bullets tore through the surf. The noise of artillery was deafening.
And through it all, the unmistakable scream of the bagpipes.
Captured German snipers later admitted they had Millin in their sights, but didn’t shoot him because they assumed he had gone completely mad.
Lovat’s mission was to reach Pegasus Bridge, where British glider troops were desperately holding on.
The schedule said 1pm. Lovat and his men fought their way off the beach and arrived at exactly 1:02 PM.
He calmly walked up to the commanding officer under enemy fire and apologised for being two and a half minutes late.
His commandos then marched across the bridge in the open.
Lovat had ordered his men to wear their green berets instead of steel helmets, so the Germans would know exactly who was coming for them.
Twelve men were shot through their berets that day. After that, they finally put their helmets on.
But they held the bridge.
For Clan Fraser, there was something almost mythic about it. Their ancestors had come from Normandy centuries earlier. Now their chief had led Highland soldiers back onto those same shores in one of the most decisive battles in modern history.
Six days later, Lovat was given his last rites after being hit by friendly fire from a stray artillery shell.
Against all odds, he survived. He returned home a hero.
He went on to serve in Parliament, judge cattle internationally, and manage his massive 250,000-acre Highland estate.
But his final years were marked by grief. Two of his sons died within weeks of each other in 1994. Beaufort Castle, his ancestral home, had to be sold that same year.
When Lord Lovat died on 16 March 1995, an era died with him. Bill Millin later played at his funeral, bringing the story full circle.
The last clan chief who went to war.
The brigadier who brought bagpipes onto D-Day.
The Highlander with a price on his head.
Scotland does not produce many men like that ⚔️🏴
80 years ago today, they secured our freedom. Today, we honour their legacy.
Thank you to all Second World War veterans who inspire our service to the nation. #VEDay80#ThankYouVeterans
British airborne forces flew into Denmark and Norway from 5th May 1945 to take the surrender of the occupying German Forces.
Ready for anything 🆎🇬🇧
#Paras
#Paratrooper
#VEDay80
A brilliant international career 🙌
After 95 caps and countless memories, @JoeMarler has announced his retirement from international rugby.
Thank you for everything, Joe 🌹
How do you budget and prepare for your future? Working with a financial adviser can help you take stock of your current situation and prepare for the future you aspire to live.
Reach out to us at @Lupalex_wealth today and take the next step in your wealth journey.
#investing
Professionals and directors rightly prioritise the success and well-being of their people, teams and organisations, sometimes at the expense of their own financial well-being.
Consulting with a qualified financial adviser help you focus on you.
https://t.co/Q4PdD8CmSt
At @Lupalex_wealth we’re committed to providing you with the best advice and market leading products and services – with one end in mind - helping you to achieve your personal life goals, and the future that you imagine. https://t.co/WGYZpAXa28
Having a financial advisor can provide valuable guidance and support in navigating the behavioral side of investing.
Reach out today and enhance your wealth journey. https://t.co/kLhDjBhgwL
Reach out today for a conversation about how we can help you secure your future financial wellbeing and plan for the future you aspire to build. https://t.co/j10vHsavm9
New Year is the perfect time to put healthy money habits in place and start the whole family off on the right foot.
Here’s five top New Year’s resolutions.
https://t.co/CnXmOzri4r
https://t.co/sfoJxY1zlZ
Following a year that saw a lot of uncertainty, we can prepare and protect our own futures and that of our families through regularly reviewing our financial goals and strategies - Reach out today for a no obligation consultation. https://t.co/CnXmOzri4r
https://t.co/jf4RlJyXLZ
Saving a nest egg can give your children a great start in life - and it can help the financial wellbeing of your whole family.
Talking to a financial adviser will help you decide on the smartest ways to save for your children.
https://t.co/yYuXcw1Npz
Weekwatch - They say you can’t put a price on family, but just how much does it cost to raise a child? - Building a nest egg for your children doesn’t need to break the bank and could make a huge difference to their future, and their financial wellbeing.
https://t.co/OHADYsiLgQ
Want to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the world of finance and take the next step in your wealth journey? Follow our Page for the latest updates https://t.co/ZkCZYqZRpc