VISIT TO BRITAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20894, 25 November 1937, Page 12

VISIT TO BRITAIN

ITALIAN EX-SERVICEMEN WELCOMED British Official Wireless (Received November 24, 6.30 pun.) RUGBY, November 23. A delegation of fifty members of Italian ex-servicemen, returning the visit of the British Legion to Rome last year, has arrived In London on a five-day visit. The visitors received a cordial reception from crowds at Victoria Station. The delegation, which is headed by Signor Carlo Del Croix, who lost his sight and both arms in the Great War, was met by the Italian Ambassador (Count Grandl), the president of the British Legion (Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice), and other representatives of British and Italian legions. This morning they visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and at mid-day they were received at the War Office by the Secretary of State for War (Mr L. Hore Belisha). Mr Hore Belisha said that as Secretary of State for War It was a social 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 Signor Del Croix and Signor Rossi, the chairman of the Italian

national organisation of ex-servicemen, had both served. Signor Rossi receiving for valour, the Medaglio Dor, which Mr Hore Belisha said was equivalent to the British Victoria Cross. The Minister commented on the warmth of the reception to the British Legion delegation to Rome last April, and said he thought the-making and renewing of friendship between men who had experienced the heroic tragedy of the Great War, on whatever side they fought, must be of service to the cause of peace and goodwill. The visitors will be entertained tonight at dinner by the British Legion. To-morrow the delegation will be received by the King at Buckingham Palace, and later In the day there will be a reception at the Italian Embassy.