Ajax New Past up For

H.M.S. Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2015

CONTENTS

Chairman/Editor's Remarks

Thars Silver in them thar hills – Fred Coates

More memories of my time in HMS AJAX – John Hitchen

Calling All Ganges Boys

News from Town of Ajax – Colleen Jordan

Membership Report – Judi Collis

Archivist Report – Malcolm Collis

Ships Bells – Conundrum – Clive Sharplin

AGM 2014 – Minutes and Annual Accounts

Gift Aid Form

NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. taken to the mine; met more of the CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER group and was shown around, what to NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis me was a fascinating place. I didn't Peter Danks The Bewicks, Station Road 104 Kelsey Avenue Ten Mile Bank, get to the main shaft as there were Southbourne Norfolk PE38 0EU volunteers working down there. Emsworth Tel: 01366 377945 That's a treat for another time (I Hampshire PO10 8NQ [email protected] hope). The photograph shows Tel: 01243 371947 Tyrone Boyce, my friend's son in law [email protected] and on my left his son Sam who is 16 and the youngest member of the TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Acting TREASURER group; his main role is that of dumper SECRETARY MEMBER STANDARD BEARER driver and apparently it is God help Mrs Judi Collis Alf Larkin John (Vic) Wilson anyone who has the temerity to touch The Bewicks, Station Road Lime Kiln Collage 9 Ashleigh Avenue it, let alone drive it. There are further Ten Mile Bank Egham 2 Easton Lane Norfolk PE38 0EU details from the web site - click on Surrey TW20 8LB Portland Tel: 01366 377945 Dorset DT5 1BW Combe Martin Silver Mine. Mobile: 07736 929641 Tel: 01784 439630 Tel: 01305 457259 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

www.hmsajax.org More Memories of my time in HMS AJAX by John Hitchen I think it was in an article by Richard Llewellyn that he said how the first sight of the Rock of Gibraltar made a lasting impression on him. It was the same for me, it was not just the Rock itself but there were CHAIRMAN/EDITOR'S REMARKS lights everywhere whereas we had been used to the blackout since 1939. There was another reason why I remember the occasion and it was because my father read in his newspaper the following day I hope all members are well and looking forward to a nice summer. Activities within the Association the latest report from La Linea which stated HMS AJAX had entered Gibraltar harbour. seem to have slowed down and we can now look forward to celebrating the 50th Annual Reunion of the Association in October. The application form was included in the March newsletter – this is a Our next port of call was Algiers which was equally impressive but in a different way of course. I later gentle reminder to send your form off. saw other French colonial towns in Africa all of which gave the impression that the French were here to stay, all of which was in contrast to our own colonies in West Africa. AGM 2014 – AGM 2015. I am pleased to publish the 2014 AGM minutes and annual accounts within this issue. If members have any concerns over matters within the minutes or the accounts, After out little mishap in Bone, we returned to Gibraltar. After some patching up, AJAX sailed for the please contact me as soon as convenient and the committee will do their best to resolve them. The USA with a skeleton crew and the rest of us, I think, were sent back to the UK in HMS RENOWN. 2015 AGM will be held on Thursday 8th October and if there any items members wish to be raised at My next appointment was to KING ALFRED where I passed out as a Midshipman (before I had this meeting, please could they be forwarded to me by 1st August, so I can include them in the agenda enough sea time to be an AB?). We were given the largest cheque I had up to that point and we all which will go out in the September newsletter. Any supporting paperwork should accompany the walked across the road to one of the well known tailors and handed over our cheque for our new items to be raised please. uniform – there was no change!

Newsletter Articles I am grateful to Clive Sharplin for his article on the bells of HMS AJAX. My first seagoing appointment was to a corvette having a refit in Falmouth. I was told I was cipher Thanks to Colleen Jordan for the news from Ajax. John Hitchen and Fred Coates also responded to officer and to say I felt inadequate is to put it mildly. KING ALFRED had nothing to say on the Malcolm's request for articles and their contributions are in this newsletter. subject. I was in charge of a large cabinet, unfortunately kept in the Captain's cabin; on one side were the secret books, which nobody ever read, and on the other side were the code and cipher books; both 75th Anniversary year an excellent DVD has been produced by Kit Harwood with speeches and operated in the same way and were current for different lengths of time i.e. one week, six weeks etc. interviews from the lunch on 13th December and Cliff Hoppe has produced his usual high standard set We left Falmouth for Tobermoray where we 'worked up' for a week or so and then joined an Atlantic of pictures taken at the lunch. If you would like copies of these wonderful memories of a busy year, convoy, which I think was going to the Med; but we carried on to Freetown. By the time we got there, please contact Malcolm Collis by the 20th June 2015. I had two sacks full of out of date code books which had to be disposed of and with the help of a rating we found the disposal point which was a great big bonfire. Standing in front of a bonfire in Freetown Thars Silver in them thar hills - by Fred Coates in the middle of the day can make one feel a bit woozy which was how I felt when waiting for the water Over the last eighteen years or so while on holiday in many of the north Devon holiday resorts, we taxi and I came too when the rating dug me in the ribs and said “I think he means you”. Captain D had often visited Combe Martin. I've got a passion for local museums and although one was advertised in arrived with his entourage and I had failed to salute. My misdemeanour was reported to my Captain Combe Martin, I never did find it open. My main interest was in discovering what had happened to who was not amused. I was cipher officer on more than one ship and during the whole time only came the famous Combe Martin Silver Mine. This year I found the Museum and it was open. across one signal that applied to us and that referred to the moving of a buoy in a swept channel. I have since been told that by the time of my first appointment, the Germans had already broken our I got a little bit of info on the mine and while staying with friends I mentioned that I was interested in naval code, which was changed about a year or so later! Can anybody tell me the difference between a the mine. “No problem”, I was told. Their son in law and grandson were part of the mine code and a cypher? preservation group of volunteers. After 18 years of nosing around my search was over. And I was 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. taken to the mine; met more of the CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER group and was shown around, what to NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis me was a fascinating place. I didn't Peter Danks The Bewicks, Station Road 104 Kelsey Avenue Ten Mile Bank, get to the main shaft as there were Southbourne Norfolk PE38 0EU volunteers working down there. Emsworth Tel: 01366 377945 That's a treat for another time (I Hampshire PO10 8NQ [email protected] hope). The photograph shows Tel: 01243 371947 Tyrone Boyce, my friend's son in law [email protected] and on my left his son Sam who is 16 and the youngest member of the TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Acting TREASURER group; his main role is that of dumper SECRETARY MEMBER STANDARD BEARER driver and apparently it is God help Mrs Judi Collis Alf Larkin John (Vic) Wilson anyone who has the temerity to touch The Bewicks, Station Road Lime Kiln Collage 9 Ashleigh Avenue it, let alone drive it. There are further Ten Mile Bank Egham 2 Easton Lane Norfolk PE38 0EU details from the web site - click on Surrey TW20 8LB Portland Tel: 01366 377945 Dorset DT5 1BW Combe Martin Silver Mine. Mobile: 07736 929641 Tel: 01784 439630 Tel: 01305 457259 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.hmsajax.org More Memories of my time in HMS AJAX by John Hitchen I think it was in an article by Richard Llewellyn that he said how the first sight of the Rock of Gibraltar made a lasting impression on him. It was the same for me, it was not just the Rock itself but there were CHAIRMAN/EDITOR'S REMARKS lights everywhere whereas we had been used to the blackout since 1939. There was another reason why I remember the occasion and it was because my father read in his newspaper the following day I hope all members are well and looking forward to a nice summer. Activities within the Association the latest report from La Linea which stated HMS AJAX had entered Gibraltar harbour. seem to have slowed down and we can now look forward to celebrating the 50th Annual Reunion of the Association in October. The application form was included in the March newsletter – this is a Our next port of call was Algiers which was equally impressive but in a different way of course. I later gentle reminder to send your form off. saw other French colonial towns in Africa all of which gave the impression that the French were here to stay, all of which was in contrast to our own colonies in West Africa. AGM 2014 – AGM 2015. I am pleased to publish the 2014 AGM minutes and annual accounts within this issue. If members have any concerns over matters within the minutes or the accounts, After out little mishap in Bone, we returned to Gibraltar. After some patching up, AJAX sailed for the please contact me as soon as convenient and the committee will do their best to resolve them. The USA with a skeleton crew and the rest of us, I think, were sent back to the UK in HMS RENOWN. 2015 AGM will be held on Thursday 8th October and if there any items members wish to be raised at My next appointment was to KING ALFRED where I passed out as a Midshipman (before I had this meeting, please could they be forwarded to me by 1st August, so I can include them in the agenda enough sea time to be an AB?). We were given the largest cheque I had up to that point and we all which will go out in the September newsletter. Any supporting paperwork should accompany the walked across the road to one of the well known tailors and handed over our cheque for our new items to be raised please. uniform – there was no change!

Town of Ajax News – Spring 2015 Ajax Pan Am Games 2015 Ajax is busy preparing to welcome the world as we host the Pan Am Para Pan baseball and softball events at the President's Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark, Audley Recreation Centre. A number of celebratory events are being planned leading up to and during the games. The Pan Am torch relay will travel through Ajax on June 6th with a number of exciting activities planned to celebrate the torch's arrival in Ajax, including a 40's/50's Ice Cream Social at Town Hall to showcase the Town's deep historical roots through heritage displays presented by the Town of Ajax and the Bomb Girls Legacy Campaign. The Town's torch bearers are: Louise Johnson, a former Defence Industries Limited employee and Honourary Chairperson of the Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Campaign. Daniel Milton, who joined the Ajax soccer club at the age of 5, and now plays for the Blackpool Football Club in England. Meera Jagota, a member of the Town's Youth Engagement Advisory Committee. Nigel Wilson, a former major league baseball player who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins and Japanese Baseball League. Since retiring from professional baseball, Nigel dedicates his time coaching young aspiring athletes. Visit www.pamamajax.ca for further information

Volunteer Awards Kaitlin Ireland was awarded the Heritage Award for her volunteer work on the Ajax Bomb Girls Committee documenting the experiences of women who worked at Defence Industries Limited during World War 11. A number of residents were honoured at the Volunteer Awards ceremony for their selfless contributions to the community.

Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Campaign The Committee has completed the application for funding to the Canadian Federal Government to request funding support for the monument to commemorate the contributions of the thousands of women who worked at Defence Industries Limited and all Canadian women war workers. Louise Johnson, Honourary Patron of t h e c a m p a i g n w a s r e c e n t l y interviewed by a journalist from the Netherland Public Broadcasting Station for a documentary on the work being done on the Canadian home front to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands on May 5th. 4. 5.

Membership Secretary's Update June 2015 Year of Visit/Dedication September 26, 2009

Michael Turner was born in Watford, Hertfordshire in 1925 and attended Watford Grammar School Crossed the Bar from 1937 to 1942. In 1944 he joined the Royal Navy where he became a Petty Officer Radar Mechanic and a qualified shallow water diver. He joined HMS Ajax in 1946 and served for a year in John Dooley sadly, after many years of pain and medical conditions, crossed the bar on February the Mediterranean. In 1947 he attended University in London and by 1950 was awarded his Bachelor 19th. Many of you will remember John and Maureen from earlier reunions and trips to Canada. of Science Degree in Engineering. His Ajax dedication is as follows: Michael married Ann in 1954 and they had two children, Paul and Helen. By 1974 Michael was Town of Ajax Street Dedication appointed Head of Technical Services responsible for Engineering, Town Planning, Architecture. Street Name: Dooley Crescent Leisure facilities, including sports halls and swimming pools and Estate Management with the newly Name of Veteran: John Dooley formed Borough of Hertsmere in Hertfordshire. Rank: Petty Officer, Elect Ship Served: HMS Ajax Michael retired in 1984 and was appointed in a voluntary capacity as a Tax Commissioner to the Date of Service on Ship: 1947-48 Board of Inland Revenue. The laws at this time required he had to retire from his position at the age of Year of Visit/Dedication: May 2004 75. Veteran or Family Visit: John Dooley John Dooley served on HMS Ajax from mid-1947 to mid-1948 at the time of the last commission of the ship. For the majority of this time the Ajax was with the Mediterranean fleet. While in the Mediterranean the ship served to uphold the International Agreement that prevented European refugee ships from getting to Israel. On a more friendly assignment, the ship had the duty of 'showing the flag' which served to raise awareness of the ship in the Mediterranean. HMS Ajax visited many ports including Sardinia, Italy, Trieste, Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Malta and Gibraltar. HMS Ajax also participated in exercises with other ships in the fleet while in the area. On board the ship, Seaman John performed many duties including four hour watches day and night as a lookout on the bridge. He was on board Ajax when she entered her home port of Chatham for the very last time. This was a very sad time for the many sailors who had called Ajax home for so long. Soon after John left HMS Ajax, she was towed to the breakers yard.

Rod McLeod also served on Ajax from 1947-48. I never met him but many of you may remember him from earlier reunions. From the Daily Telegraph death notice: Turnerbury Avenue is named for both Michael and Roy Turner, one of our other members.

Surgeon/Capt. — H.R.T.A. McLeod R.N. (Roderick). Died peacefully on March 27th at home, Michael Gregory, from Weston-Super-Mare, is the son of Alfred John “Ginger” Gregory born in Willow Cottage. Much loved husband of Lynn, father of Caroline, Andrew, Alison and Roderick, 1924 who crossed the bar in 2004. He served on Ajax in 1940 along with Ken Byram. Peggy, his wife grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of two. Funeral Service at St. Mary's Church, Antingham, has been a member for many years. Norfolk, on Thursday April 16th at 11.45 a.m. Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired, for The Royal British Legion or Marie Curie Cancer Care may be sent to Murrell Cork Funerals, 57a We particularly welcome aboard Associate members, they are really important to keep the Mundesley Road, North Walsham, NR28 0DB. Association, and the memories, alive for future generations.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of both John and Rod Happy Birthday to the following Members who have birthdays in this Newsletter period (March to May) incl. th New members Dennis Lowndes Cruiser 1943-45 91 on 4 March th We welcome two new Associate members. Glyn Seagrave Frigate 1975-77 57 on 6 March William Smail Cruiser 1943-44 90 on 8th March Michael Turner Junior is the grandson of Michael and Ann Turner, stalwart attendees of our Dennis Talbot Cruiser 1947-48 84 on 14th March reunions and a great inspiration to us all. Michael Fox Frigate 1973-78 62 on 14th March Michael lives in Bellingdon in Buckinghamshire and will be joining us at the reunion in October (he Hugh (Bing) Crosby Frigate 1976-77 76 on 18th March might not know this until he reads this!). Details taken from Mike’s street dedication says it all, he has Richard Dalziel Frigate 1965-66 71 on 30th March recently got a new hip and is once more fit and well. George Barlow Frigate 1965-66 68 on 31st March Street Name: Turnerbury Avenue Michael Keenan Frigate 1974-77 68 on 12th April Name of Veteran: Michael Turner Leonard Porte Cruiser 1946-48 89 on 18th April Ian Darbyshire Frigate 1976-78 59 on 19th April Rank: Petty Officer Radar Mechanic and Qualified shallow water diver David Humpage Frigate 1977-79 55 on 21st April John Garrard Cruiser 1939-41 93 on 8th May Ship Served: HMS Ajax. Date of Service on Ship: 1946-1947 Reg Baker Cruiser 1943-46 91 on 14th May 6. 7.

Membership Secretary's Update June 2015 Year of Visit/Dedication September 26, 2009

Wally Freer Cruiser 1942-43 92 on 15th May ARCHIVIST UPDATE Nigel (Jan) Masters Frigate 1976-78 59 on 22nd May Barry Clutton Frigate 1968-70 80 on 26th May As of April 2015 there had been over 100,000 visitors to our website, www.hmsajax.org since its creation 2 years ago which I find pretty amazing and just shows the extent of the interest in the subject. (Happy birthday to all our Associates in addition to the above members and apologies to anyone not mentioned in this or previous editions – to rectify this, please complete your update form and send to me, the Membership Secretary) INFORMATION SOUGHT ON FORMER AJAX CREW MEMBERS There are lots of impressive dates here. Many congratulations to all of you and best wishes for a I would be very pleased to receive information on the following: happy and healthy year ahead. To all members, associates and their families who have been poorly over the winter and spring HARRY THOMPSON months we hope that your health improves along with the summer sun. Alan Price contacted me to advise that his cousin Harry Thompson had been on Ajax at the time of The Battle of the River Plate as an Engine Room Artificer. Harry transferred to HMS Skipjack in 1940 SUBSCRIPTIONS and was killed when the ship was sunk evacuating troops from Dunkirk. Alan went on to say that he too served in the Royal Navy in 1947 as a Supply Assistant and coincidently was posted to the Many thanks to all of you who have sent subscriptions either to me or paid by electronic means. Mediterranean to join Ajax in 1948 and served on her until her return to England prior to being broken There are still a few outstanding so please rectify this as soon as possible. Drop me an email or call if up. you are in doubt. I was able to give the family the link to the Chatham Memorial which marks Harry's death. Malcolm has managed to claim an impressive £414.92 from Gift Aid against annual subs and donations. Many thanks to all of you who returned forms and ticked “and in the future” - we don't THOMAS “TOMMY” GRAHAM need to renew these. For all you tax payers we can claim £2.50 in the pound and every little helps, as Andy Makie also contacted me to advise me his uncle Tommy Graham had been in Ajax at the time of they say, so please fill in the form. The Battle and believes he was an officer in the “boiler room”. He passed away many years ago. He joined the navy before the war and served 2 years and 10 months in Ajax and shook Winston Subscription can be paid by: Churchill's hand on arriving back in Britain. 1. Standing Order - Association Account details: 'HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association': Number -- 24865868: Sort Code -- 30-99-56 I await a copy of his autobiography and as and when I receive it I'll put it in subsequent Newsletter editions. 2. Bank Transfer - Association Account details: 'HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association': Number -- 24865868: Sort Code -- 30-99-56 JAMES MACMILLAN Probably a little too far back for most members but James MacMillan contacted me after information 3. Cheques & Postal Orders made payable to - 'HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans about one of his ancestors, also called James MacMillan, also spelled McMillan. He served aboard Association' and posted to Membership Secretary ' The Bewicks, Station Road, Ten Mile Bank, the first HMS Ajax and the hand written family record has him as deceased from drowning late 1780 Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 0EU and he wanted to know if I had any more information about the individual mention on our website to see if this was James as it appears the reported death was a little latter. 4. By using the new "Subscribe" button on the website and paying by PayPal or credit/debit card – see http://www.hmsajax.org/#/joining/4560949163 The entry reads “On 10 October 1780, an appalling hurricane struck the West Indies. HMS Ajax was This will deduct £10 but many of you pay extra to help with costs (Thanks); any extra donation can be at anchor in the careenage in Gros Islet Bay. At 6 o'clock in the evening she struck her topgallant paid through the “Donate” button on the website – see http://www.hmsajax.org/#/memorial- masts. About the same time the seas became so steep that the cable to the small bower parted. They fund/4567554524 let go the best bower and veered to half a cable but the exceptionally high seas forced the ship aground, in only 27 feet of water. They succeeded in getting clear, and for the next day and a half they Life at the moment is a little difficult, as my fellow Ajax Facebook friends know all too well, with drifted blindly. She eventually regained harbour, but not without great damage to masts and sails, ongoing medical issues and weekly visits to the Macmillan Centre at King's Lynn but I am keeping and the loss of one seaman.” strong, with the support of my family, and really, really look forward to seeing you all at the reunion in October. This, the first HMS Ajax was a fully rigged 74-gun third rate ship of the line. She was launched on 23 Judi Collis December 1767 at Portsmouth Dockyard and first Commissioned May 1770. She was designed by Membership Secretary William Bateley and was the only ship built to her draught. Her displacement was 1615 tons; length 167ft 10in; beam 47ft 5in. Her armament was 74 guns; 28 x 32 pounders on the gundeck; 28 x 18 pounders on the upper gundeck; 14 x 9 pounders on the quarter deck; and 4 x 9 pounders on the forecastle.

She saw extensive action in the War of American Independence and took part in the Battles of Cape St. Vincent, the Chesapeake, St. Kitts and the Saintes. She was paid off on 8 August 1783 and was finally sold in 1785. 8. 9.

HARRY BRENNAN were killed when an 11 inch shell exploded in the place they were assembled as one of the damage Norman Brennan is after information about his uncle Harry Brennan. Harry was born on 1st January control parties, the seamen either in 'A' turret or the torpedo tubes crew both of which were casualties 1909 and was on Ajax at the time of The Battle and appears on my unofficial list; he also has Brennan early in the battle. Road in Ajax. These extracts are taken from pages in Exeter's log, the extracts are just the parts relevant to those killed or wounded as shown. 13 Dec 39 1545 Buried at Sea Capt HRD Woods RM, Lt Cdr J Bowman-Manifold. PaySub Lt DH Tyler. Mid J S Rickord and 47 Ratings killed in action. Missing believed killed in action Sub Lt CAL Morse and 1 rating. 1800 1 rating died of wounds 14 Dec 39 0800 1 rating died of wounds 1030 Buried at Sea 2 ratings died of wounds 1240 Buried at Sea 2 ratings Killed in Action 1330 Buried at Sea 1 rating died of wounds 1820 Buried at Sea 1 rating died of wounds 2000 1 Rating died of wounds 15 Dec 39 0515 1 Rating died of wounds 0530 1 Rating died of wounds Newspaper cuttings from the day 0840 Buried at Sea 2 Ratings died of wounds 1300 Buried at Sea 1 Rating died of wounds 16 Dec 39 Harry Brennan second from left arr P Stanley 1154 (to anchor) ALFRED FRANCIS TREGIDGO 1530 43 ratings disembarked to shore hospital Terry Nicholson contacted me about his uncle Chief Petty Officer Alfred Francis Tredidgo who was 1620 1 Rating died of wounds one of the HMS Exeter's casualties at The River Plate. The family were after details of the location of 1850 disembarked 16 ratings to shore hospital the burials at sea and I forwarded the request to Jim Smith, Secretary HMS Exeter Association, who 17 Dec 39 was able to provide the details. They have utilised Google Earth and were very grateful to Jim for 0425 1 Rating died of wounds in hospital ashore filling in the missing pieces of the jigsaw. 18 Dec 39 This was Jim's response: 1310 Band - Bearers - Firing Party and Escort landed for funeral Of those killed during the battle, 4 officers and 47 ratings were buried at sea at 1545 on the 13th of 1400 Half-masted colours for funeral ashore of 2 Ratings died of wounds December. 21 Dec 39 I don't know the exact position but it would have been around 120 miles south of the battle site, and 1655 Ajax anchored in harbour probably some 200 miles off the southern end of the River Plate estuary. 1725 Achilles anchored in harbour There may be records of these but could still be within the Ministry of Defence (Navy) or maybe in 22 Dec 39 the National Archives. 0930 Cleared lower deck Exeter's Navigating Officer was killed when the bridge was showered with shell splinters after the hit 0940 RASAD arrived on board and Addressed Ship's Co. on 'B' turret and another young officer inexperienced in navigation took over his job so the recording 1050 RASAD left ship procedures may not have been so meticulous. 1930 Sailed Ajax and Achilles Another 6 were buried on the 14th of December, 4 who were killed in the battle and another who died 23 Dec 39 later in the day with another who died of wounds on the 14th. 2200 1 Rating died of wounds in hospital ashore These were all buried at sea at 1030 (2), 1240 (2), 1330 (1) and 1820 (1). The position of these would 24 Dec 39 have been 3-400 miles further south. Funeral of Rating ashore 1445 The sort of 'hub' of the battle site was 34°30'S 50°W so steaming south at 18 knots Exeter would have Cumberland, Dorsetshire in Port William been around 37°S at 1545 for the first burials and 41-42°S for those on the 14th. I don't know track 25 Dec 39 she took south so the longitude is not known, but a rough guess would be somewhere around 53- Pay SLt PA Compton joined from Cumberland 54°W on the 13th and 56-57° on the 14th. 29 Dec 39 CPO Tregidgo would more than likely have been one of the 47 on the 13th. Those killed on the 13th 1016 RASAD Boarded ship and buried the next day suggests that there could have been difficulties in recovery and identification 1050 RASAD left ship of the bodies. Rather gruesome, but some of the accounts by the men spoke of some very mutilated and shattered bodies. (Note: RASAD = Rear Admiral South American Division (Sir Henry Harwood Harwood KCB I don't know his job in Exeter but from his service number it shows he was a seaman – the J – if he had OBE) been a stoker it would have been a K. Apart from the telegraphists, those killed on the bridge and the marines in 'B'turret, most of the other casualties were either stokers or seamen. Most of the stokers 10. 11.

FREDERICK W HORNET TROOPSHIP CAMERONIA In the March Newsletter I reported upon Frederick Hornet who was killed on board Ajax on 12th A researcher, Andre Chissel, has contacted me looking for information about the torpedoing of the October 1940 along with others and asked for any information regarding a plaque in a Toronto church Cameronia on 22nd December 1942 (see www.troopshipcameronia.com) dedicated to one of those. Brenda Kriz from Ajax knew all about this and has supplied this information: The Cameronia was in Gibraltar in January and February 1943 at the same time as Ajax following The Canadian sailor that died on the Ajax was George H. Kirkpatrick Strathy. He was born in the bombing at Bone Harbour: England but lived in Canada. He attended the University of Toronto and joined the Royal Navy 18/12/42 Work up at Scapa completed; sailed to Clyde through the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. 22/12/42 Clyde Herewith his short biography. 26/12/42 Arr. Gib. from Clyde Street Name: Strathy Road 27/12/42 Left Gib. & arr. Algiers 28/12/42 Name of Veteran: George H. Kirkpatrick (Pat) Strathy 1918-Oct. 12, 1940 30/12/42 Left Algiers Rank: Sub-Lieutenant, R.C.N.V.R. 31/12/42 Joined Force Q at Bone Ship Served: HMS Ajax 1/1/43 AJAX hit by a 1000lb bomb from a Ju87 during an air raid on Bone harbour. Two Date of Service on Ship: 1940 boiler rooms put out of action & one damaged Year of Visit/Dedication: June 2002 2/1/43 Further damaged by a near miss during an air raid on Bone Veteran or Family Visit: Members of the Strathy family, Toronto. 8/1/43 Arr. Algiers Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: No 10/1/43 Left Algiers and arr. Mers-el-Kebir 13/1/43 Died at Battle: No 17/1/43 Arr. Gib. for temporary repairs to bomb damage 23/2/43 Left Gib. following completion of temporary repairs George Henry Kirkpatrick (Pat) Strathy was born in England in 1918, while his father was in the 2/3/43 Arr. Bermuda sailing later that day military there at Orpington. When his family returned to Canada he attended Trinity College School 4/3/43 Arr. New York for permanent repairs to battle damage in Port Hope where he won a number of distinctions and graduated at the age of sixteen. Considered The Ajax crew apparently went on board the Cameronia for a fortnight whilst temporary repairs were too young to go to University Pat's parents sent him to Charterhouse School in England in 1936. being made to Ajax. Andre is after any copies of diaries, letters, photos or memories from members of When he returned to Canada he attended the University of Toronto where he received considerable the Ajax crew covering the time frame in Gibraltar between 17th January and 23rd February 1943. distinction in Mathematics and Physics. One of his professors in physics said that Pat was so brilliant Any photographs of the Cameronia in dry dock or when the crew of the Ajax were on board the that he kept some of his solutions to problems for reference. Cameronia would also be appreciated. Pat was one of a few men who joined the Royal Navy from the University of Toronto through the AJAX WHEEL Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (R.C.N.V.R.). They along with others became known as the Hot on the heels of the Bell enquiries came an enquiry about a wheel. Canadian Raleighites. These were men selected to be trained by the British Royal Navy on board Dino Fazzani's father recently purchased a wheel purporting to be from HMS Ajax HMS Raleigh in the U.K. They were sent from Canada in six groups of twenty five to aid in the war effort. In the mid to late 1930s Pat, along with John Woods, Mike Mills, Ollie Mabee and Bill Macdonald were friends at the University of Toronto. The small group were considered 'Whiz Kids' that were taken straight out of Professor Burton's 'Maths and Physics' course in 1939-1940. They were engaged to help perfect and make operative the Admiralty's new RDF (later known as RADAR). Pat joined the HMS Ajax in July of 1940.

Fellow 'Whiz Kid' Jock Maynard stated, “by the late thirties we were beginning to think about a future war and what it might mean to us all. None of us fully realized the enormity of what was in store for us”.

The Telegram reported on October 16, 1940: “While patrolling near Sicily, the Ajax suddenly came upon the two Italian destroyers and opened up with her big guns. Shortly after sending both ships to the bottom the Ajax Aft Ships Wheel encountered a heavy Italian cruiser and four destroyers, one of them the 'Artagliere. Again the Ajax opened up with everything her guns could throw with the result that the Plaque on wheel Artagliere was crippled. The other Italian vessels ran for The brass plaque is interesting in that Ajax was paid off in February 1948 and spent the rest of the year home.” laid up in the River Fal whilst the Government decided her fate. The original plan to sell her to Chile was cancelled on the orders of Winston Churchill in March 1949 and she was towed to Newport in Ajax received a minor hit in the middle of the ship which November 1949 so not sure how it would be known she went to the breakers in Newport in 1948 as the destroyed the RDF Hut and Pat Strathy's action station. plaque suggests. When Ajax was broken up by John Cashmore Ltd Newport, Wales in 1949 much of There were thirty-five casualties and thirteen deaths at the the salvageable material was used to make souvenir items such as bells and similar and the wheel end of the battle. George Henry Kirkpatrick (Pat) Strathy could be either an original or souvenir. 12. 13.

Jim Smith's view was that the brass plate with 'Aft' wheel could mean anything. It was probably found on the ship and the term used to 'legitimise' that it came from a famous ship without knowing SHIPS' BELLS – A CONUNDRUM it's exact purpose. The wheel itself is too small to have been used in Ajax for steering the ship, even in THE SHIPS' BELLS OF THE CRUISER HMS AJAX (vii) the Aft Steering Position, but it could well be from one of the ship's motor boats, as a 35ft Motor boat AND would have had a wheel of approximately this size and this wheel could have been a spare stowed somewhere 'aft' and found there when Ajax was being scrapped. Without knowing the exact THE FRIGATE HMS AJAX (viii) circumstances of it's discovery and any further details about it, unless some light can be shed on it by By CLIVE SHARPLIN someone who can say for certain what it is I think this is as far forward as can be achieved. INTRODUCTION If any of our Cruiser members can shed any light on this I would be delighted to hear from them. I would suggest through this article that this whole subject appears deserving of a forum being devoted to it as there are important questions surrounding the ships' bells of both ships. So my objective here is to attempt to lay out what we know at this time about the original bells from each ship to provoke a conversation to now take place through this Newsletter

I was interested to read the article in the Association's December 2014 Newsletter on the Cruiser “HMS Ajax Bells” as it reminded me that in March of last year I had come across a report from September 2008 of the sale th of a bell attributed to have been from the Frigate Ajax and noted it for further research, something I had failed to Dunkirk Evacuation – 75 Anniversary do until now.

The evacuation of troops trapped on Dunkirk, was called a "miracle" by Winston Churchill. As the This raised my immediate interest as I knew this could not possibly have been the Frigate's original ship's bell, German army swept through Western Europe in the spring of 1940 both the French and British how I will describe later. Then I found that there are at least two ships bells attributed to the Cruiser. armies could not stop the onslaught. The advancing German Army trapped the British and French PROVENANCE & OWNERSHIP armies on the beaches around Dunkirk. 330,000 men were trapped here and they were a sitting target In the world of maritime memorabilia a ship's bell is arguably the most eagerly sought after relic when a ship is for the Germans. broken up or wrecked, in fact it might be called the maritime collector's Holy Grail. Publicly ships' bells usually change hands at auction or open sale but there are of course a whole myriad of ways to effect a change in Admiral Ramsey, based in Dover, formulated Operation Dynamo to get off the beaches as many ownership. At some auctions, the item, its attribution or its sale price can do more than raise a viewer's men as was possible. The beach at Dunkirk was on a shallow slope so no large boat could get near to eyebrow, possibly even a degree of suspicion! Some patently have never been anywhere near a ship. the actual beaches where the men were. Smaller boats were needed to take on board men who would th Firstly I have no knowledge of campanology. Also I am personally unsure if when a Royal Navy ship's bell is then be transferred to larger boats based further off shore. From May 26 1940,800 of these legendary manufactured how many are cast at that time? When a Royal Naval ship commissions my understanding is "little ships"sailed from England to pick up soldiers off the beaches with the operation completed by only one ship's bell is normally issued so is it reasonable to believe that only one is cast. Upon 4th June. decommissioning for a period such as for a refit the ship's bell is removed supposedly into safe keeping then reissued back to the ship upon it's recommissioning. At the end of her service life and she is finally Ajax on her return from The Battle of the River Plate, following a review by King George V1, arrived decommissioned I would have thought her ship's bell would be officially removed and then a decision be made at Chatham on 26th February 1940 for much needed repairs and a refit which was not completed until as to its future, th 28 July 1940. The refit included the fitting of zarabas to the 4in guns and two tripod masts with Type There is, however, definitive evidence that bells have been stolen while in custody between commissions, 79 air warning radar at the mastheads. from HM ships after decommissioning, while at the breakers and even after their authorised removal into safe keeping. Contemporary evidence suggests that some ships managed to have two or even more bells, one During this period the archives are sketchy but I know that many of the crew were redeployed to other such documented instance was Ark Royal (IV, 1950-1980), which had one of her two bells installed in the ships and shore-based tasks and also that several ended up being involved in the evacuations. chapel (Note 1). A supposition by a contributor to the worldnavalships online forum, who had served in that Ark Royal, was that one of them had come from a previous Ark Royal. Other contemporary reports exist of some Congratulations to those involved, whether as an Ajax member or otherwise; I would love to hear HM ships having had as many as seven, presumably during their whole service life. Even worse, completely fraudulent ships bells have emerged into the market from time to time. from our members at that time and have a record of their role and memories.

Malcolm Collis

The two Ark Royal’s (IV) Bells 14. 15.

Malcolm Collis

The two Ark Royal’s (IV) Bells 16. 17.

The provenance of a ship's bell which has been distinctly attributed to a specific ship is therefore, as is the This bell was then installed in a ceremony in front of the main entrance of the Uruguayan Inspectorate of provenance for a work of art, absolutely critical in any transfer of ownership howsoever made. Marine as per the above photograph on a memorial judged from the photograph to be about 7 or 8 feet high. Just two simple questions have to be satisfied when an attributed bell is offered for sale:- At a later unknown date it was relocated to the Uruguayan Naval Museum in the Puerto del Buceo at Rambla 1. (a) Has it been conclusively proven that it is as described and attributed? Charles de Gaulley Luis A de Herrera, Buceo. or (b) If it is a souvenir bell can it be proven that the material from which it was made came from the ship? Somewhere between these two locations, to the mortification of the Uruguayan authorities, the bell was stolen 2. Is there documented evidence that the person or entity that placed it for sale or transfer of ownership has and quite simply vanished. The Uruguayans to their great credit commissioned the manufacture of a full legal ownership or entitlement to do so? replacement bell, possibly somewhere in South America so it was definitely not an Ajax bell. Most importantly the Uruguayans have displayed their determination to keep this memory alive and have taken their best action The answers can only be “Yes” or “No”. In any financial transaction the potential buyer must always consider to do so. We are pleased with their action, certainly not critical of them. the maxim of “caveat emptor”, “let the buyer beware”. Certainly the number of ships' bells that have appeared Personally I am inclined to believe that the theft took place in the latter location my reasoning being a guide on the market attributed to either the Cruiser or the Frigate demand questions and a keen awareness by the book (Note 2) which describes the damage to the bell with its location as at the Museum near to the Graf Spee's potential buyer. rangefinder a photograph of which would place it as having been outside of the building. For the purposes of clarity I am using four definitions for the various bells which appear in the market: We do know from the example of when John Cashmore Ltd broke up the Cruiser at their Newport yard (Note 5) 1. Original bell. The bell issued to the ship upon her original commissioning. that they openly manufactured bells and other artefacts from materials taken from the Cruiser. It is not at all 2. Souvenir bell. A bell manufactured by the ships' breakers of similar size and appearance from materials unusual for bells to be specifically manufactured in this manner as a source of income by shipbreakers who taken from the ship specifically as a souvenir and sold or disposed of by them as such. sell them into the souvenir market thus becoming defined as “Souvenir Bells”. Cashmore also manufactured 3. Fraudulent bell. A bell deliberately manufactured or doctored to be sold as original bells. “Mess Bells” as souvenirs as per this image again from Cruiser materials; these are so easily recognisable 4. Commemorative bells. Bells obviously of different size or appearance to the original such as the so that they cannot possibly be confused with an “original” bell. One of these was also sold by Bonhams in their called Mess Bells, usually manufactured by the breakers using material taken from the ship. As there is Auction 10581, Marine Works of Art under Lot 286. It was described as “A Brass Mess Bell, inscribed HMS no intent of fraud here provenance is not a question with these bells as it is with original or souvenir bells. Ajax in a brass stirrup mount on a turned mahogany plinth. On the front inscribed “HMS Ajax” and on the The breakers in question were Cashmores of Newport for the Cruiser and Port Millom in Cumbria for the reverse “Broken up by John Cashmore Ltd 1949”.14 x 14 x22 cms. It sold for £211 inc premium (Note 6). Frigate, I have not found any adverse comment whatsoever of them in the manner in which they have handled these matters. As for the Cruiser and the Frigate's original ships' bells we have the evidence such that the provenance and final placement of both is unimpeachable, only the present location of the Cruiser's original bell is a mystery while a suspected second bell is revealed as genuine but from another generation.

THE CRUISER For the Cruiser the question is where is the original bell now? The bell itself is easily recognisable, firstly being inscribed with the ship's motto in Latin and further by having suffered damage with a jagged hole in it caused by a shell splinter from the Admiral Graf Spee's gunfire (Note 2), therefore easy to spot. Stephen Harwood, a grandson of Admiral Harwood kindly wrote me the following:

The Admiralty originally put this bell up for sale in an Admiralty Fleet Order which was seen by Sub Lt Millington-Drake (son of Sir Eugen Millington-Drake the British Minister in Uruguay in 1939) who bought the bell. This led to a combined diplomatic/naval presentation. It was officially presented to the City of Montevideo on the 10th anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate in 1949 as a tribute to "the staunch attitude of the people of Uruguay" by then Admiral Sir Henry Harwood (Note 3) together with Sir Eugen Millington-Drake (Note 4). A “Mess Bell”. © Photo courtesy HMS Ajax Admiral Harwood, in his speech which was read out at the presentation, asked that “the naval share of AJAX's & River Plate Veterans Association bell be accepted as a gift to Uruguay from me, the Captains, officers and ships' companies of HM Ships of the South American Division, 1939-41, in token of our thanks for the hospitality the navy has always received and also as a tribute to strong and successful diplomatic action”. Other known similar Ajax Cruiser “Mess Bells” are: o One held by Sylvia Redfern, presented to her by shipbreakers John Cashmore Ltd. (Note 7) o One held by our Association, donated to them by Sharon Read (Note 8) o One presented to Commodore Harwood RN is now in the possession of his son Stephen Harwood (Note 9).

The other mystery attached to the Cruiser is this photograph of a bell suggested to be a second bell from her. Found to be in the possession of Milton Abbey Public School, Dorset, it is mounted in their dining hall claiming to have been presented to them after Ajax was decommissioned. A visit to the Roll of Honour page of the School's website reveals all and I quote: “This ship's bell is mounted in the dining hall of Milton Hall public school it was presented to the school after Ajax was decommissioned” (Note10). Signage then gives the major particulars of Ajax VI, the 23,000 ton King George Class Battleship with a main armament of ten 13.5” guns in service between 1913 and 1926. She was built by Scotts at Greenock and broken up by Alloa Ship Breaking. The first Installation of the Cruiser's ship's bell at the So it is an Ajax bell but not from either the Cruiser or the Frigate but a forebear. Yet to be tested is the bell's Uruguayan Inspectorate provenance via the source of the presentation, on that I hope to report soon. of Marine © Photo Courtesy of the Harwood Family Archive 16. 17.

Bonhams “Lot Details” to the item stated:- o “…she was torpedoed by a German E boat during the Battle of Norway in May 1940, only just managing to limp back to the Tyne, where she was decommissioned for extensive repairs….” o “This bell was removed when decommissioned in late 1940, and was not returned on board when Kelly sailed for the Mediterranean”.

Bonhams again in the descriptive heading describe the bell as “A ship's bell” but in the second note by qualifying it as “This bell” one is entitled to believe that the bell being offered is the original ship's bell.

This bell has its own story as mentioned above that this bell was removed from the ship during repairs carried out at the Hebburn yard after damage sustained in action in the North This ships bell attributed to HMS Ajax Bell attributed to HMS Kelly, Destroyer 1938 Sea. It is said that the bell was never refitted on Image ex Bonhams website VI is mounted in the dining hall of recommissioning and presumably the ship served her second Milton Abbey public school, it was https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17819/lot/10/: presented to the school after that Ajax stint up to her sinking off Crete in 1941 either without a bell or a was decommissioned. substitute had been fitted. © Milton Abbey public school There are claims that the bells disappearance between late 1940 and the time of Bonhams sale bears the signs of possible illegal removal with its subsequent location and ownership unknown until the appearance at THE FRIGATE. Bonhams. The contradiction is that Bonhams must have satisfied themselves as to the bell's provenance and The report that I had read in March 2014 sparking my interest in this whole matter referred to Lot 186 of the ownership before accepting it for sale. London auction house Bonham's Auction 15572 Marine Sale Part 2 held on 20th February 2008 which was described as: “A ship's bell HMS “Ajax”, F114, 11in (28cms) diam”. As do most of our members I knew that the There are claims that the bell disappeared again after being sold by Bonhams until being noticed in the present original bell is in the Council Chamber of the Town of Ajax in Ontario which I and other members had actually collection of South Shields Museum who now has it displayed on their website. A researcher has asked the seen there during the Association's visit last year. Thus my interest was immediately raised, even more to see Museum questions concerning how the bell came into their possession (Note 14), Specifically were they the that the Bonham's Bell had sold it for £1,560 (US$ 2,607) including the buyer's premium. winning bidder at Bonham's auction, did the vendor have the legal right to dispose of it and most importantly On behalf of Bonhams, one cannot be critical of their description as it was offered as “A ship's bell”, not “The were they able to prove its provenance at that time? According to the researcher the Museum has not ship's bell” so it could well have been the original bell, a souvenir bell or .....? It is noteworthy that this responded. Bonham's bell appears not to have been manufactured from brass or bronze4. Is that significant? My own side questions would have been: a) To Bonhams – Were they totally satisfied with it's provenance? Also their catalogue image shows the bell in an apparent line of bells where the one to the left appears to have an identical lip inferring a possibly identical bell. Why and what were the other bells? b) For other authorities - Was the ship ever issued with a replacement bell?

I would welcome any contribution which will assist in resolving the outstanding issues or in adding material to The author and this article. his wife [email protected] Elizabeth with the Frigate’s original bell in Bell attributed to the Frigate NOTES Ajax the Town of Bonhams Marine Sale Part Ajax’s Council 2, 20th February 2008 Chamber 1. E conversation by “jbryce1437” at: Image ex Bonhams website June 2014 http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292&highlight=HMS+Kelly&page=6 https://www.bonhams.com/a © Sharplin uctions/15772/lot/186/ Family Archive 2. Book – “Uruguay Footprint Focus Guide”, by Anna Maria Estp?ter, Page 24 www.bokus.com/bok/9781909268722/uruguay-footprint-focus-guide The Town of Ajax archive holds records that the Frigate (F114) at her final decommissioning ceremony in 3. Harwood was Commander of the British Royal Navy Squadron at the Battle of the River Plate while Devonport on 31st May1987 the ship's Captain, John F S Trinder RN, presented the original ship's bell to the Millington-Drake was the British Minister to Uruguay at that time. Mayor of the Town of Ajax, Bill McLean, who had been invited to attend the Ceremony. Mayor McLean 4. This presentation ceremony is recorded in Millington-Drake's papers personally carried that original bell back with him to the Town of Ajax in Ontario, Canada, where it was hung in http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0014%2FMLDK4%2F25 the Council Chamber of the Town Hall and remains to this day (Notes 11 & 12); impeccable provenance. Since its Ref: MLDK 4/25 installation there it has been rung at the commencement of each Council Meeting to call it to order. The Frigate (housed at the Churchill Archives Centre, University of Cambridge, UK). was subsequently taken to Port Millom in Cumbria where she was broken up. So where did Bonham's bell 5. The Cruiser arrived at the Newport yard on 11th November 1949 come from? 6. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10581/lot/286/ For an example of the criticality of the combination of provenance and ownership plus an indication of the 7. December 2014 Association Newsletter, Page 12 values involved in this market we can turn to the sale by auction of the original bell from the Destroyer HMS 8. December 2014 Association Newsletter, Page 12 Kelly of Lord Mountbatten fame. This bell appeared in a Bonhams Marine Auction, Number 17819 as Lot 10W 9. December 2014 Association Newsletter, Page 12 on 24 March 2010 attributed as “A Ship's Bell, HMS Kelly, 1938 12in (31cm) diam” (Note 13). It sold at the auction for a handsome £7,800 including buyer's premium. 10. http://www.roll-of-honour.org/Dorset/MiltonAbbas.html 18. 19.

11. Pickering-Ajax Digital Online Archive circulated giving a general overview of income and spend associated with the Memorial and its dedication. Heritage Ajax-News Advertiser Insert Full details were incorporated in the Treasurers examined accounts. Income, including donations, Gift Aid http://www.pada.ca/books/page/?id=190&view=text&page=5 reclaim, VAT reclaim amounted, NMA lunch payments, to just over £28,000 whilst spend, including Memorial 12. Pickering-Ajax Digital Online Archive cost, NMA fees, NMA Dedication day, other expenses, amounted to just over £27,000 giving a balance of http://www.images.ourontario.ca/Ajax/2305375/page/3?n= +£1152.92 although this was not a precise figure due to overlapping spend, for example shared printing costs. Page 11 of Reunion Souvenir Programme Oct 16 -24, 1999. There were no questions arising on this matter. 13. Source: website – https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17819/lot/10/ b. Membership Secretary. Membership continues to go from strength to strength with: 14. E conversation by “melonseed16” thread at : 6 Life members: E Drayton; Ken Jones; Rosemarie Quantance; Cherry Sevigny; Alec Townsin & Gloria http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292&highlight=HMS+Kelly&page=6 McCrea-Large ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 36 Veterans from the Cruiser, 6 of whom served at the River Plate: Frank Burton; Lawrie Harper; John Garrard; a) Malcolm Collis, HMS Ajax River Plate Veterans Association Albert Smith; Basil Trott & Ted Wicks b) Stephen Harwood, Harwood Family Archive 38 Frigate members c) Milton Abbey public school 66 Associates from the Cruiser & 6 Associates from the Frigate. Honorary members are: Mayor Steve Parish; Councillor Pat Brown; Jackie Lumsden & Brenda Kritz The Membership Secretary proposed that Councillor Colleen Jordan, Susan Mariglia-Bosgraaf & Debbie Steer, all from the Town of Ajax, also be made honorary members in recognition of their continuing support. th Malcolm Collis proposed and Paul Parker seconded the proposition which was unanimously passed. Minutes of the 49 Annual General Meeting of the HMS AJAX and This brought total membership to 159. River Plate Veterans Association held at 1030 on Saturday 13th Since the last reunion the following have sadly crossed the bar: December 2014 at The Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea, Hampshire Reg Dolby; Geoff Hopkinson; Patrick Fowler; Bill Marshall; Bunny Austin; Sybil Maggs and also Bill The agenda had been published in the September 2014 Newsletter. Lumsden. Item 1 Chairman's Opening Remarks The Chairman welcomed a large gathering of members and guests to In the absence of our usual memorial service the members stood and remembered them for a few moments. the AGM and began by saying there was a busy schedule for the day and while not wishing to stifle debate, it would be good if a conclusion could be reached by 1100. This would allow hosts to meet their guests and for Subscriptions those attending Jonathan Harwood's presentation at 1115 to find a seat and for merchandise sellers to take up Regrettably much time is taken up with chasing non-paying members with a lot of effort, not to mention cost, their posts. exerted for little return. 2014 had been a very busy year – with the Dedication at the NMA in April; the visit to Canada in June and now A reminder that the annual subs are due in January and we request they are paid by March at the latest. Details today's event. Officers will make brief reports with fuller details being recorded in full in the minutes – I hope in the Newsletters. Also in with the March Newsletter will be an updated membership list; please spend some this is acceptable to you. time studying it and let me know if you are aware of any change of circumstances. I would like to say recruitment is good thanks to many of you finding new members. The Chair thanked Judi for her excellent work on maintaining membership records and on recruiting new I would like to commend the excellent work conducted by Malcolm and Judi in preparation of the NMA members and added that on this subject, we must continue to make the Association attractive for members to Dedication in April; for Alf in the arrangements for the Canada trip and those who worked so hard to make the continue to enjoy us but also to attract new ones – but we do need your advice on what you want to help us trip a success. achieve this. To Alf and the team in Weymouth who are flying the flag in more ways than one – parading the Standard at c. Newsletter Editor – I wish to thank all those who submit articles – but I could always do with more and Service events in the area. varied contributions especially from newer members. I hope that there will be many interesting articles after I am hugely disappointed in the lack of any interest by the Royal Navy, the National Dailies, local radio, etc, today's event. I would like to make special mention of Colin Steward who prints our Newsletter at Harwich. I etc in today's event. I have run out of ideas who to interest. think it is one of the best of the Association Newsletters in circulation and that is down to him who often at quite We look ahead to the 50th year of the Association. Please let the committee members have your ideas how to short notice puts together the newsletter from material which is sent to him. I hope you will agree that he has mark the event. done a very good job with today's 75th anniversary lunch brochure – and thanks to Stephen Harwood and Item 2 Apologies. Apologies have been received from the following:- Malcolm for the contents of the brochure. Clive Sharplin, Richard Llewellyn, Mike Turner, Roy Turner, Norman Gifford. I have heard recently from Item 7 Election of Officials. Nominations together with proposers and seconders for the officials for the Estelle Dolby and Rosemary Quaintance. forthcoming year were circulated in the September newsletter. In view of there being no other nominations, Item 3 Minutes from 48th AGM held on Thursday 3rd October 2013. These had been circulated in the December the Chairman sought members' approval for the election en bloc. There was no opposition to this proposal. 2013 Newsletter. No reports of any inaccuracy had been received. Nigel Masters proposed that the minutes Position Nomination Proposer Seconder be adopted as a true record and this was seconded by Michael Fox and this was carried. Chairman /Sec Peter Danks M Turner J Hitchen Item 4 Matters Arising. There were no matters arising. Newsletter Editor Item 5 Treasurer's Report. An audited financial statement was circulated. Alf explained that the accounts were Treasurer Judi Collis A Larkin P Danks quite complex with expenditure for the Memorial included and also some income for today's lunch being Archivist Malcolm Collis K Skilling R Llewellyn included with the accounting period ended on 31st August 2014. The Chairman said that the accounts for the Membership Sec Judi Collis R Llewellyn K Skilling period ending 31st August 2015 should include all major income and expenditure for the 75th anniversary Standard Bearer Alf Larkin M Collis P Danks events. Cttee Member Vic Wilson P Danks A Larkin The treasurer recommended to the meeting that the present rate of subscriptions - £10 – remain for the present The Chairman clarified the Treasurer position. After many years, Alf is looking to hand over the reins – Judi membership year. has been elected – it makes sense as she collects the subs which is a main part of the Treasurer's role – but due to There were no questions from members and Fred Coates proposed the adoption of the accounts; this was her illness the date for the actual turnover will be confirmed as the year progresses. I hope you are content with seconded by Vic Wilson and approved by those present. this position. You will note we will not lose Alf's expertise as our Standard Bearer and we have added Vic The Chairman wished to record a vote of thanks to Alf and Mary Larkin for their hard work with the accounts, Wilson as a working member towards the 50th reunion. bearing in mind their busy activities. This was endorsed by the meeting. With these comments, Dennis Talbot proposed and Michael Fox seconded a proposal that officers be elected as Item 6 Committee Reports per the agenda. There were no votes against and the nominations were approved by those present. a. Archivist Malcolm commented that the website continued to have many visitors and the Chair Item 8 Events in 2015 The Committee recommend that the 50th Reunion of the Association be held at the King congratulated him on the excellent work connected with the Website. A brief set of “NMA Accounts” were Charles Hotel in Gillingham on 7th and 8th October 2015. The Hotel is available. The Chairman sought the 20. 21.

HMS Ajax & River Plate Veteran’s Association

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If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code. 22. 23. meeting approval and this was supported. Ideas of how to mark the event to members of the committee please. Item 9 Life Membership The Chairman introduced this item by saying that the Constitution allows the AGM to approve Life Membership “to persons who have shown outstanding support for the Association over a period of time”. For this reason and for volunteering for the Archivist position, to become the website manager and in particular for outstanding work for the Memorial I would like to propose Life Membership to Malcolm Collis. Not sure if I can make this proposition so could I have a proposer and seconder from the floor please. Dennis Talbot proposed and Fred Coates seconded and there was unanimous support from members present. Malcolm thanked the Chair and members for this honour. Item 10 Any Other Business There were no matters from members present, and the Chairman concluded by thanking those who will be hosting guests today an d selling and helping out today and wished everyone an Gift Aid declaration – for past, present & future donations enjoyable day. The meeting close at 1055. Name of charity or Community Amateur Sports Club