Pipers of the 51st (Highland) Division on a victory parade in Tripoli. The photograph appeared in a booklet published in Glasgow in 1943, with the proceeds going towards the 51st (Highland) Division Trust Fund. The vast majority of advertisements placed in the booklet were from Glasgow businesses.
The soldiers of the 51st played a major role in the final stages of the North African campaign during the Second World War, where they were great favourites with General Montgomery. In June 1942 they embarked for Egypt and were heavily involved in the decisive victory at El Alamein in October, where the regimental pipers were very much to the fore.
Soldiers of the Division made a habit of painting the divisional initials HD on walls wherever they passed, earning the nickname "Highway Decorators". After North Africa, the Division went on to fight in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and the final advance into Germany.
Reference: Military box 12/1
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow Caledonian University, Research Collections, Kevin Morrison Collection
Keywords:
51st (Highland) Division, bagpipers, bagpipes, Battle of El Alamein, British Army, Eighth Army, HD, highway decorators, kilts, North African campaign, pipe bands, Second World War, soldiers, victory parades
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