King George visit to Italy 1944

Hi,

my first post on this excellent site and I'm looking for confirmation/information.

My father, Ron Davis, Gunner 879686, 65th Field Regiment RA is now nearly 92 and recently mentioned to me that he was a member of a guard of honour for a visit of King George to the troops in Italy in 1944. He remembered that the King's code name was General Lyon and that he once had a photo of the himself in the Guard of Honour.

Can anyone confirm that this happened and supply more information / photo of the visit.

Thanks

Steve

 

Steve.

This did take place. I will dig out the exact details and get back to you. Off the top of my head it was after the fall of Florence in Aug 44 although Jul 44 rings in my head.

Regards

FdeP

 

Steve,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I just checked the date in my late fathers Divisional War Diaries (4th Recce Regt) and there is no mention of the Kings Visit!

I recently found the following in the War Diaries.

According to my Fathers Regimental War diaries his "B" Squadron was on Recce about 10 kms west of Arezzo by Civitella and then Badia Agnano.



21 to 25th the Regt were by Levane and the Kings visit was noted as the 26th July on Momnte S. Savino when some ot the Regiment were in attendance.


Regards
Tom

 

I think that that the marker is east of Cassino just on the side of Route 6, quite close to Mt Trocchio. Seem to remember it being pointed out when I was on route to Mignano... I think.

Love the Pathe clip.

 

King George VI awards the Victoria Cross to Major John K. Mahoney of the Westminster Regiment (Motor) for his heroism in the battle of the Melfa River in Italy on 24 May 1944



Canadian Military Heritage

 

Hi mates,
the marker post is placed on the road between Cassino to Cervaro, at the crossroad for M. Trocchio.

Take a look here and here

All the best.

Damiano

 

Damiano.

Thanks for this. I have driven passed this many times but never known what it was.

I am out in Apr 12 so will stop this time.

Regards

FdeP

 

One wonders if these mystery people actually do return to the thread they started, but then read the comments without announcing their presence

Whatever is the true reason for their action, I still find it strange, to say the least.

Ron

 

17th field sent a group of 100 to see the King
100 men from the regt were sent to see " Gen. Collingwood" present the V.C. to Major Mahony of the Westmr R. It is an open secret that the Gen. Collingwood is the King. the tks left at 1400 hrs today.


No worries Ron we are having a good time exchanging info
Matt

 

New to the forum but interested if anyone knows how or where to access newsreels of King's visit to Italy in July 1944.

My step father Maj. F. E. Goulding of the Canadian Army Field Regiment escorted the King on inspection of his troops and his letters indicate newsreels were present.

Please see posted photo of King and Maj. Goulding.

 

This may be of interest. At the time they were mainly supporting 70th Med Regt RA.
From the diary of 1503 Arty Pl RASC (Lt) Captain G E Bavin R.A.S.C
July 26 Presciano - Alberoro (near Arezzo) Q 8916 - R 2226
Unit moved to 123 FMC area Alberoro to u/c CRASC
H.M.King George VI visited the area and many personnel of the unit lined the route of the Royal Party.

 

I just noticed that the person who started this thread never came back to see our replies.
His last activity 5 minutes after starting the thread.

Last Activity: 27-11-2011 06:09 PM

On the other hand 'other' people drop in and again become amazed at the amount of information that the collective body manage to come up with. My congratulations all

 

Dear Gentlemen,

I would like to provide some information concerning the visit of HM King George VI. On 25 July he met representatives of the 4th Indian Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. Arthur W.W. Holworthy, at the small town of Palazzo del Pero, 10 kms south of Arezzo.

The ceremony was held in a small square at the road junction of Palazzo del Pero/Pian d'Usciano. I have recently taken a photo of the place with a similar perspective of the photo reported in the Fourth Indian Division by Lt Col. G.R. Stevens Obe. View attachment dc148.pdf

The buildings are still the same! Using Google street you may easily get the same perspective.

Local Authorities are planning to unveil a plaque to remember the event.

See the attached files for comparison.

Regards

Danny