Personnel of 1st Special Service Brigade listening to Piper Bill Millin while resting after action in Normandy, 1944

Photograph, World War Two, North West Europe, 1944.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, 1st Special Service Brigade comprising No. 3, No. 4, No. 6 and No. 45 Royal Marine Commando, landed at Ouistreham on Sword Beach under the command of Brigadier The Lord Lovat. After capturing their initial objects they moved inland to relieve the defenders of Pegasus Bridge on the River Orne. The brigade continued to serve in France until September when it was withdrawn to England.