King George visit to Italy 1944

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Steve Davis, Nov 27, 2011.

  1. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Danny.

    Superb.

    Thank you.

    FdeP
     
  2. Danny Ghurka

    Danny Ghurka Member

    The King's plaque in Palazzo del Pero is scheduled to be unveiled on 15 October 2015 during a visit of the 7th Gurkha Rifles, led by Lt Col Bob Couldrey, during its Battlefield Tour of Italy. I will be supporting them as a guide and interpreter. Amazingly, amongst our party is Major Richard Holworthy, son of Brig. Gen. Arthur W. W. Holworthy who was commanding the 4th Indian Division. To the left in the 1944 picture is Gen. Richard McCreery to become shortly after commander of the 8th British Army. Gen. Holworthy is just behind the King presenting his senior officers.That very day, 25 July, in this little town McCreery was knighted in the field by King George VI. His Majesty had arrived to Palazzo del Pero, in incognito as "Gen Collingwood", after being driven along the Jacob's Ladder, a mountainous road built mainly by Indian sappers in only a couple of days.
    The Palazzo del Pero plaque is a courtesy of the mayor of Arezzo Alessandro Ghinelli and local authorities, this project being promoteded by the Società Storica Aretina (Aretian Historical Society)

    Regards

    Danny
     
    Mark Surridge, bexley84 and dbf like this.
  3. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Società Storica Aretina- AREZZO Historical society. Aretino/a means conneced with the city and or province of Arezzo.

    Incidentally, there's a recent post from someone elswhere on this site referring to Jacob's Ladder.

    Will try to get up to Palazzo del Pero this autumn to see the plaque.

    Vitellino
     
  4. Astolfo

    Astolfo New Member

    Hi,
    many years have passed since the last post, does anyone know the 11 days itinerary of king George in Italy from arrival to departure possibly with sources?
     
  5. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Astolfo,
    Nothing readily found, although piecing together the itinerary from the newsreel etc could be a long term option. Hopefully help will come along.
     
  6. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    A quick look on TNA and downloaded these for free.

    223 has the itinerary - looks to be correct. I know he was with 56th Division on the dates and times mentioned. A quick check of 1 Inf Div unit war diaries also confirm he was with them on the morning of 30th July.

    167_Inf_Bde_Jul_44_0029.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 16, 2020
  7. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Try the photos at the IWM.
    From memory there's Perugia, Castiglione del Lago and Arezzo
     
  8. Astolfo

    Astolfo New Member

    Thank you guys! i'll try to piece it together
     
  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    "King George VI of the United Kingdom knighting Oliver Leese in the field, Italy, 26 July 1944" (Imperial War Museum)"

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944 - NA17215


    FB_IMG_1658921647705.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2022
  10. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Looking back for news fit to print (from a security point of view only)
    I find only one outstanding item - the Kings Visit.
    And that was hardly a world shaking event, consisting of an informal lining of a road and “spontaneous” cheering
    as HM drove by sitting on the back of a jeep.
    He looked very tired and glum, which was hardly surprising considering the rushing around he has done over here-in the most appalling heat. On many days it has seemed even hotter and dustier than Africa.

    A pleasant little footnote to the Kings visit concerns the Kings itinerary through our area.
    His route expert marked a spot on the map where the King would require to obey the call of nature.
    This happened to fall in our area. So a suitably royal convenience was erected, decorated
    and inspected from Sgt to Colonel at the appropriate map reference.
    In due course the King obeyed nature and his organising staff and the little building was royally christened.
    Then like the Mayfly, its brief hour of glory over, it was no more and the wood thereof was reverently split up for the cookhouse fires.
    Idle wits still prattle in the Mess on the most suitable inscription for the tablet which they feel should be erected on the spot for the benefit of posterity.
     
    Ramiles likes this.
  11. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Taken from Post 1 attachment, an officers account of his war. The "Gunner" Richard Wakeford mentioned below who was awarded the VC was from his battalion (minus details on why).
    Link: 2/4th Btn. The Hampshire Regiment WW2

    The book excerpt refers to an officer Richard Wakeford reeving the VC, this is detailed in: 174363 Richard WAKEFIELD, VC, 2/4 HAMPS: Original Recommendation Oddly the thread spells the surname differently.

     
    Last edited: May 20, 2023
    minden1759 likes this.

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