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Ajax New Past up For NEWSLETTER JUNE 2020 CONTENTS Committee Details Chairman's Report Secretary's Report Membership Secretary's Update Bob Batt HMS Achilles Wreath Laying Ceremony Standard Bearer Report New Association Website Battle of the River Plate Commemorative Shield Update Don Birrell Ajax 1946-47 Gifts for Concepción SMS Scharnhorst Wreck Found Faversham Roll of Honour Daily Mirror Pays Tribute Geoffrey Haylett Follow Up Ajax Bell in Council Chambers 2019 Trip Report Publications Thank You Halifax South Shetland Islands Antarctica Archivist Update HMS Exeter Port Engine Telegraph Wheel 1935 - 48 1963 - 85 Nec Quisquam Nisi Ajax www.hmsajax.org 2. 3. I would like to thank the Committee who have contacted Association members to assure them that CHAIRMAN Nigel Masters we are here to help if they require assistance during this uncertain time. The Lookout Golden Cross Terrace This year sees the 65th Anniversary of the Town of Ajax Ontario and we were invited by the Station Road, Swineshead Town's Mayor, Shaun Collier, to attend the Gala celebration in June and incorporate street Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3LP dedication ceremonies. Unfortunately, like thousands of other events, this has been cancelled – Tel: 01205 820127 Mobile: 07743 381153 nevertheless, thank you Shaun for the invitation. [email protected] It has been mooted that perhaps we will do something in 2021 as this will be the 45th anniversary SECRETARY of the Frigate visit and the 66th Town anniversary! My Wife Janet and I, along with Mike Fox, Peter Danks intend to make the trip to celebrate this. Still very early days but if you were interested let us 104 Kelsey Avenue Southbourne, Emsworth www.hmsajax.org know. If you have been before you will know how welcome you are made and if it is your first Hampshire PO10 8NQ [email protected] visit, I can assure you, you will experience a fantastic time. Tel: 01243 371947 [email protected] The Association tie which has our new crest on it, is now available from “Award Products” details can be found on our Website. Malcolm Collis is in the process of redeveloping our website. Many MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT JUNE 2020 SECRETARY Hello to you All thanks Malcolm. Paul Parker I sincerely hope you are all well and getting through this 8 Templecombe Road incredible time safely. A Booklet has been produced which records our trip to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Eastleigh, Hampshire I personally have been working in my role as a Prison Officer; Battle of the River Plate and I am sure even if you did not attend you will find it a most SO50 8QL interesting account. It can be purchased via the Website at the cost of £6.00. Can l thank Peter Tel: 02380 693709 12 hours on 12 hours off, for a few weeks, rather like Mobile: 07962 080240 “Defence Watches”! Thankfully that has now changed to a less Danks, Alan Phillips and Malcolm Collis for their hard work in producing this. [email protected] demanding “Watch” system. Well everyone l would like to take this opportunity to send you my best wishes in these uncertain TREASURER As you are all probably aware by now, that this year's reunion times and please Stay Safe. Ian Darbyshire has been cancelled; we did have distinguished guests 28 Antony Road, Torpoint, Nigel Masters - Chairman Cornwall PL11 2JR attending: Inge, daughter of Hans Langsdorff the Captain of Tel: 01752 815789 the Graf Spee and her Husband Rüdiger, Enrique Dick the [email protected] President of Graf Spee Association in Argentina and his family and also Mayor of Ajax Shaun Collier and Rose. Hopefully we SECRETARY'S REPORT JUNE 2020 ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ NEWSLETTER EDITOR will be able to rearrange all this for next year, it really did Malcolm Collis promise to be an exceptional event. After the memorable events of last December, we were, and are, faced with the Covid-19 The Bewicks, Station Road problems. On behalf of the Committee may I wish all the members all the best and are keeping Ten Mile Bank, Norfolk PE38 0EY Sadly we have had two River Plate Veterans “Crossing the well and safe, especially those who are continuing to work through this period. Tel: 01366 377945 Bar” recently. Albert Edwin Smith who served in HMS Ajax. [email protected] He was 17 years old and was in A Turret during the Battle and So pleased we had the trip last year, as it is very uncertain when we will be able to leave these MERCHANDISE OFFICER served in Ajax from 1939 to 1941 and was 97 years old. Rest shores for a while. My thanks to Malcolm for producing the Trip Booklet as a souvenir of the Michael Fox in Peace Albert. tremendous experience of the 80th anniversary. I hope it was enjoyed by those who were on the 6 Bown Hill Also sadly Robert “Bob” Batt who was a Boy Bugler in HMS trip but it would also be of interest of those unable to attend. [Copies still available – contact Southwell, Portland Achilles at the Battle. His son Doug and wife Julie joined us Malcolm] Dorset DT5 2ED Tel: 01305 823436 from New Zealand in Uruguay and Argentina for the [email protected] Association's trip in December. Doug brought with him Bob's As I write this, it is the 75th anniversary of VE day - I personally do not recollect it but I am sure Bugle and it was played at ceremonies on the trip. Bob was there are many of you who do and I expect it brought back mixed emotions. COMMITTEE MEMBER also 97 and lived in New Zealand. Rest in Peace Bob. It was with regret that this year's reunion was postponed - I hope you will agree that in the Alan (George/Phil) Phillips We also lost 3 other veterans: Richard Green who was Ajax at circumstances it was the correct decision. The committee plan to meet [maybe even virtually!] 8 Orchard Way when we are allowed and the new details will be promulgated. It is usual that at this time we call Send Hill, Send, Surrey GU23 7HS the end of the War at the age of 97; Alec Townsin 92 who did Tel: 01483 223299 his National Service in Ajax after the War; we also received for agenda items for the AGM so may I please ask that if you have any items you would like the [email protected] notification that Raymond “Jerry” Kirk passed away at the end Committee to discuss, to submit them to me and I will arrange for discussion when the of 2019 aged 97. Fuller obituaries will appear in the committee next meet. Please take this opportunity to let us know your views. The existing STANDARD BEARER Membership Secretaries report. members are prepared to continue in office and if no other nominations are received it is Alf Larkin proposed that those in office at 1st October 2020 continue until we meet at next reunion when Stonecleave 26 Wakeham Portland I would like to again thank everyone who made the trip to opportunity will arise for confirmation of committee and/or election of new members. Please Dorset DT5 1HN South America such a fantastic event and on reflection we remember that if you wish to nominate a member, a seconder is required. Tel: 01305 457259 were so lucky to make the trip, considering what has occurred [email protected] since. I do hope the exercise we carried out in late March of keeping in touch with our more senior members was welcomed. It certainly was well appreciated by all those I spoke to and we sadly 2. 3. I would like to thank the Committee who have contacted Association members to assure them that CHAIRMAN Nigel Masters we are here to help if they require assistance during this uncertain time. The Lookout Golden Cross Terrace This year sees the 65th Anniversary of the Town of Ajax Ontario and we were invited by the Station Road, Swineshead Town's Mayor, Shaun Collier, to attend the Gala celebration in June and incorporate street Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3LP dedication ceremonies. Unfortunately, like thousands of other events, this has been cancelled – Tel: 01205 820127 Mobile: 07743 381153 nevertheless, thank you Shaun for the invitation. [email protected] It has been mooted that perhaps we will do something in 2021 as this will be the 45th anniversary SECRETARY of the Frigate visit and the 66th Town anniversary! My Wife Janet and I, along with Mike Fox, Peter Danks intend to make the trip to celebrate this. Still very early days but if you were interested let us 104 Kelsey Avenue Southbourne, Emsworth www.hmsajax.org know. If you have been before you will know how welcome you are made and if it is your first Hampshire PO10 8NQ [email protected] visit, I can assure you, you will experience a fantastic time. Tel: 01243 371947 [email protected] The Association tie which has our new crest on it, is now available from “Award Products” details can be found on our Website. Malcolm Collis is in the process of redeveloping our website. Many MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT JUNE 2020 SECRETARY Hello to you All thanks Malcolm. Paul Parker I sincerely hope you are all well and getting through this 8 Templecombe Road incredible time safely. A Booklet has been produced which records our trip to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Eastleigh, Hampshire I personally have been working in my role as a Prison Officer; Battle of the River Plate and I am sure even if you did not attend you will find it a most SO50 8QL interesting account.
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