RECEIVED BY KING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 39, 25 November 1937, Page 5

RECEIVED BY KING.

ITALIAN EX-SERVICEMEN. RETURN FOR BRITISH VISIT. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. King, George received the Italian exservicemen and chatted with each. The party, numbering 50, is returning the visit by the British Legion to Rome last year. They received a cordial reception from crowds at Victoria Station. The delegation is headed by Signor Carlo del Croix, who lost his sight and both arms in the Great War, and was met by the Italian Ambassador, Sir Frederick Maurice (president of the British Region) and other representatives of the British and Italian Legions. Yesterday they visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and at midday were received at the War Office by Mr Hore-Belisha (Secretary for War). Addressing the visitors, Mr HoreBelisha said that as Secretary for War it was a special privilege for him to pay tribute to the courage, tenacity, and endurance of the Italian soldiers during the Great War. He referred in particular to the distinguished record of the Bersaglieri, in which Senor del Croix and Signor Rossi (chairman of the Italian National Organisation of Ex-Servieemen) both served, Signor Rossi receiving for valour the Medaglio d’Or, which Mr Hore-Belisha said was equivalent to the British V.C. The Minister commented on the warmth of the reception of the British Legion delegation in Rome last April, and said he thought the making and renewing of friendships between men who had experienced the heroic tragedy of the Great War, on whatever side they had fought, must be of service to the cause of peace and goodwill. The Italians will spend five days in London.