Ajax New Past up For

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

JUNE 2016

CONTENTS Chairman's Remarks Newsletter Editor's Remarks Canada Itinerary NMA Report – Malcolm Collis Personal and Abiding Memories of 2016 Remembrance Service – Bob Adams NMA Speech – Ben Harwood Ringing another Ajax bell – Clive Sharplin Life on the Flight Deck – Bing Crosby Blood Donor – C.J. Sanders News from the Town of Ajax – Colleen Jordan Battle for Crete 75th Anniversary – Clive Sharplin 100th Anniversary Battle of Jutland – Malcolm Collis 74th Anniversary Operation Biting – Ken Holden Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur Award – John Garrard Membership Secretary's Report Archivist Update

1st October 2016 Reunion Hotel Booking Form – separate sheet

NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REMARKS Peter Danks NEWSLETTER EDITOR 104 Kelsey Avenue Malcolm Collis Once again, huge thanks to all contributors, directly or indirectly; you/they are vitally important to Southbourne The Bewicks, Station Road keeping your Newsletter going. You will see that the contributions range from serious historical Emsworth Ten Mile Bank, articles to the amusing and I think it is this balance that keeps the publication going. If you have any Hampshire PO10 8NQ Norfolk PE38 0EU material or snippets, serious or light, please do send them to me in whatever format you have. I would Tel: 01243 371947 Tel: 01366 377945 much rather have too much than too little material as I can always carry items over to subsequent [email protected] [email protected] editions as I have had to do this time as the NMA and anniversaries have taken a large portion of space.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE TREASURER/ In the last Newsletter article on Matapan I posed the question about Ajax's planes; unfortunately no SECRETARY MEMBER STANDARD BEARER Cruiser members came back to me but Alan Strachan (see Chairman's Remarks regarding talk by Mrs Judi Collis John (Vic) Wilson Alf Larkin Alan) confirmed that he believes she only had Seafoxes. I have now posed a similar question Lime Kiln Cottage The Bewicks, Station Road 9 Ashleigh Avenue regarding Achilles' planes in the Membership Secretary's Update for the Cruiser members to trawl Ten Mile Bank 2 Easton Lane their memory banks. Norfolk PE38 0EU Egham Portland Tel: 01366 377945 Surrey TW20 8LB Dorset DT5 1BW As lead, along with Nigel Masters, on the Canada trip I would like to say a special thank you to Debbie Mobile: 07736 929641 Tel: 01784 439630 Tel: 01305 457259 Steer and Town officials for organising the itinerary for our trip in August, it certainly promises to be [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] an action-packed week. As mentioned elsewhere, a lot of effort is going in to the trip and we would like to see as many members and associates as possible there to share the experience with the Town. www.hmsajax.org The Association is planning to present a bench to the Town to mark our visit. The below Itinerary should whet your appetite!

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

I hope all our members are not too wet and looking forward to a good summer. Itinerary - 40th Anniversary of Visit of 8th HMS Ajax Frigate Tuesday August 23rd – Main group arrive Toronto Airport for pick-up and transfer to Hilton Garden Remembrance Service - 9th April. What a wonderful event which was so well organised by Malcolm Inn, Ajax. Cherry Sevigny joining us for dinner. and Judi Collis. It was good to see so many of you in attendance and supporting the event; especially Wednesday August 24th – Travel to Hamilton to visit HMCS Hiada; followed by trip to Niagara Ted Wicks and Jim London, two of our Plate veterans and Don Birrell who make excellent Falls with evening meal at Keg Fallsview restaurant before returning to Ajax ambassadors for the Association. The weather was good and the support from the NMA staff first class. For a full summary of events please see the link http://www.hmsajax.org/#/2016-nma- Thursday August 25th – Travel to Toronto for Lake Cruise followed by visit to CN Tower or memorial-service/4592211968 to read Malcolm's full report and see some of the excellent pictures Aquarium or Brewery. Evening game at Blue Jays Baseball stadium. which Cliff Hoppe took on the day. Thank you Cliff for your efforts on the day and also to Bob Friday August 26th – Morning visit to historic Uxbridge and lunch at Port Perry. Adams for his personal reflections on the day. 2 p.m. The Town of Ajax will unveil a two-piece memorial wall, spanning over four meters in length Reunion Dinner. This is to be held on Saturday 1st October. Please see booking form with this each, it is reflective of Ajax's naval history, with architects incorporating the design of the wall to newsletter. The AGM will be held at 1630 prior to the Dinner and Alan Strachan MA Maritime resemble a ship, street lights serving to appear like masts, and the information area designed with History, an associate member, will deliver a lecture on Ajax during the afternoon. Please can I features common to a ship's bow – (see Colleen Jordan's report for full details.) remind members that the hotel will be the point of contact for both accommodation and dinner Provisional – Dedication of Association Bench. requests. Please ensure names of your guests are included together with seating preferences. Dinner at Macguire's. 2016 AGM. The committee welcomes items for the agenda with accompanying comment. Saturday August 27th – Town of Ajax Street Dedication ceremonies featuring '76 Frigate crew Nominations for the Committee with proposer and seconder should be sent to the Secretary. Both members. items are required by the 10th August for inclusion in the September newsletter. BBQ at Debbie Steer's. Members of the Association on reading the Canada Itinerary will realise what a tremendous amount Sunday August 28th–March by '76 crew and others from Town Hall, down Harwood Avenue to Ajax of work is being conducted to perpetuate and strengthen the exceptionally strong ties and links the Royal Canadian Legion followed by rededication of Frigate HMS Ajax's anchor situated outside Town has with our Association. For those of you who have yet to plan your summer holidays, could I Legion. Full course dinner and reception at the Royal Canadian Legion to mark the end of the Town's request you give thought to joining the party of members who are visiting in August. Official weekend celebrations. Monday August 29th – Visit to Whitby Yacht Club. Agenda being developed but likely to include tour of facilities, lunch, boat trip to Oshawa Harbour with stroll in town, brief remembrance ceremony on the water off Veterans Point, return to Yacht Club for more refreshments Tuesday August 30th – Main group travel to Toronto airport for departure 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REMARKS Peter Danks NEWSLETTER EDITOR 104 Kelsey Avenue Malcolm Collis Once again, huge thanks to all contributors, directly or indirectly; you/they are vitally important to Southbourne The Bewicks, Station Road keeping your Newsletter going. You will see that the contributions range from serious historical Emsworth Ten Mile Bank, articles to the amusing and I think it is this balance that keeps the publication going. If you have any Hampshire PO10 8NQ Norfolk PE38 0EU material or snippets, serious or light, please do send them to me in whatever format you have. I would Tel: 01243 371947 Tel: 01366 377945 much rather have too much than too little material as I can always carry items over to subsequent [email protected] [email protected] editions as I have had to do this time as the NMA and anniversaries have taken a large portion of space.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

National Memorial Arboretum diameter meant the barrel length also increased the range in proportion, The Battle of the River Plate Memorial Service Saturday 9th April 2016 but the explosive power would be much more by weight. I reckoned a Graf Spee shell to have had 5 Saturday dawned dry with the prospect of some sun during the day as we set off for the National times more explosive in it than Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. Major works at the centre didn't disrupt plans too Ajax's. much. During the morning members and guests of the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association started to arrive and by midday everybody was in place around The Battle of the River Plate Memorial; The Last Post was sounded so still looking splendid. perfectly by Glenys Beveridge The sun came out. and brought tears to my eyes as she stood to attention through Malcolm Collis welcomed everyone to the National Memorial Arboretum and in particular Ted Wicks, the respectful silence, before HMS Ajax and Jim London, HMS Exeter, two of the surviving six River Plate veterans along with Don Ajax visits Toronto 1976 (Alan Phillips) raising her Trumpet again for Birrell from a later Ajax commission. Several families of other Plate veterans were present together with Reveille. a good number of Frigate crew and members. The Reverend Tim Flowers CF, Tamworth & Lichfield Methodist Circuit, Chaplin to 4th Battalion The Not only was this a first visit Mercian Regiment conducted the service. The gremlins with the music that occurred at the Dedication for Anne and me to the and Unveiling of the memorial on the same Saturday in 2014 returned but, undaunted, The Reverend led Arboretum but it was the first us in the Navy Hymn. time one of our sons (Mick & wife Lucy seen in silhouette in The Association's Chairman, Peter Danks, delivered the apt Bible Reading, Psalm 107: verses 23-31, final photo) had attended an “Those who go down to the sea in ships…” followed by a moving address by The Reverend. Peter Danks Ajax function. We were read out the names of those members who had Crossed the Bar since our last reunion, seven Cruiser fortunate to be seated at the veterans, one associate member and two former Frigate Captains, Admiral Sir Peter Abbott and Rear luncheon with Don Birrell, his son Admiral John Mackenzie. Stuart, and grandson Edward. Glenys Beveridge, the bugler, played the Last Post as our Standard Bearer, Mike Fox, HMS Ajax Frigate dipped the Association's Standard. The Exhortation was ably delivered by Ted Wicks with Jim London I didn't get a photo of Don's family but official photographer Cliff placing the wreath at the foot of the Memorial. After Reveille, a Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hymn, the Hoppe did and I got a photo of Cliff. Naval Prayer was said by all. As you are probably aware, Don also served on the Cruiser. He At the conclusion of the Blessing our photographer Cliff Hoppé continued with his duties before we quizzed me about my Dad's role in the Ajax story. You may know made our way the NMA's dining marquees where nearly 50 members and guests sat down to a splendid that designers of civilian meal. Following Grace by the Reverend diners enjoyed the convivial company of each other and over ships are called Naval coffee one of our members, Ben Harwood, grandson of Commodore, later Admiral, Henry Harwood, Architects but designers of who had commanded Hunting Group G at the River Plate, stressed the importance of keeping the Royal Navy Ships are memories alive and the responsibilities that fall to members of the Association and younger generations. Constructors. Originally, Our Chairman wrapped up proceedings by thanking those present for their support and those who had when he joined he was organised the event. He made mention of the Association's visit to the Town of Ajax in Ontario, Canada proud to be a Naval Cadet in August and our reunion being held at the Royal Beach Hotel in Portsmouth on 1st October. which was a Military rank. He was disgusted years As we said our fond farewells and departed the rain started – excellent timing. later when the Royal Corps A full report and a selection of photographs can be found on the website of Naval Constructors was http://www.hmsajax.org/#/2016-nma-memorial-service/4592211968 transferred to the Civil Service. When he designed the Ajax, he worked in the Personal and Abiding Memories of 2016 Remembrance at National drawing office appropriately Arboretum by Bob Adams. located in Admiralty Arch itself overlooking The Mall This, my first visit to the Arboretum, was a moving occasion for a number of reasons, some of which I towards Buckingham Palace. I had to remind Don that he had served have recorded by informal snaps. I think we were all impressed with the memory, sharpness of mind at sea for a year not only to study how ships performed and how they and sincerity of Ted Wicks and Jim London. Ted recited the Exhortation without his notes and Jim laid could be improved, the wreath with silent compassion. Jim was not silent afterwards when he talked to us all, overseen by but what it was like our Standard bearer, Mike Fox. to experience the discomforts of life An unfortunate hitch turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the CD player would not work to at sea. When I did disclose at my first meeting with the accompany our hymn singing. Rev Tim Flowers was brilliant in leading the singing, as he said, you can Association that my Dad, nick-named in the office rely on a Methodist Minister for that, especially outdoors. 'Ajax Adams', designed the Cruiser, one ex-Cruiser One snippet of his address was to remind us to look at the foot of the memorial to see comparative sizes member said “We'll forgive him for that”. Don was of the Graf Spee shells (10”) and Ajax (6”). My thoughts wandered and I thought a 40% bigger kind enough to say that Ajax was a good ship and I 6. 7. think he sincerely meant it. RINGING ANOTHER AJAX BELL! I leave you with this view from our luncheon table Clive Sharplin (Associate member) looking out to “The Beat”. Ex-cop Malcolm Collis Following the publication of my article on Ajax's bells in the June 2015 issue of the Newsletter two told us “The Beat” is a Police Tribute to fallen association members told me that a bell attributed to HMS Ajax was housed at the prestigious Milton police officers and the avenue is of London plane Abbey school in the county of Dorset.. trees and horse chestnuts - chestnut wood was used This I have since investigated and found the following. In correspondence with the school I learned for truncheons. Just as we were leaving the luncheon, it started to drizzle. Although there was that the school was founded in 1954 and one year later when the founding headmaster left he was so much more that we wanted to see, we decided to succeeded by one Commander R. H. Hodgkinson RN retired who came to them from a similar tenure leave a fuller exploration of the Arboretum for in Rhodesia. Hodgkinson apparently served at Milton Abbey as headmaster until retiring in 1979 and another occasion. Everyone should go there at least once in a lifetime. apparently it was under his tutelage that the school prospered becoming the much sought after boarding school of today renowned for its educational excellence. There are no records as to how or why the bell arrived there but it is the collective belief of the staff that Hodgkinson probably brought it with him when joining, possibly being a personal collectable and he thought to put to it use by NMA SPEECH – BEN HARWOOD 9th April 2016 installing it in the dining hall to call the attendees to order when so required; a similar situation to that Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and thank you Peter for your kind introduction. As the Grandson now occupied by the bell from the 8th Ajax in the Council Chamber of the Town of Ajax. The board on of Admiral Harwood I am delighted to be here today at this wonderful event, with my wife Katie, to which it is mounted states that it from the 6th Ajax, the King George V Class 23,368 tonnes battleship represent the Harwood family. Unfortunately neither my father, Henry who is nearly 90, nor my Uncle in service between 1912 and 1926.Thus being from the 6th Ajax we can make note of it for the Stephen, who is convalescing from an operation, are able to be here today, but they send their best Association's records but remove it from the seventh Ajax's file as being outside of the scope of this wishes. Article. As I was preparing this speech last week I thought of the importance of keeping the memories alive of all the HMS Ajax' and the Battle of the River Plate, which increasing is down to my generation and that of my children. It is also our responsibility to ensure that our Association continues to thrive and future generations know and can learn about the action in December 1939 as well as the bravery and part LIFE ON THE FLIGHT DECK – Bing Crosby played by men such as Ted Wicks and Jim London, who are with us today. Hugh “Bing” Crosby was a CPO L Mech(A) Chief of the Flight during the 1976 visit to Ajax, As a family we are discussing the best way of pooling and sharing both historic knowledge and future Ontario. As part of the Town's preparations for the 40th anniversary visit we contacted members to try information about HMS Ajax, Exeter and the Battle of the River Plate. It should be easily available to and establish a crew list for that time. Bing was able to supply some information along with this tale: all parties and in an age when technology is changing so fast perhaps the appropriate place for it to be recorded is on the Association website, where there is already so much fascinating information. 'The only job we could give the Handler was painting the bits of ground equipment. Having spent his day repainting all the Wasp (helicopter) steering arms “Bright Yellow” he hung them from the wire My Uncle and Malcolm Collis have discussed the approach to this project and I know that Stephen is “washing line” we used to keep the ear'duffs on. Tubby (Captain Squires) popped down to watch us looking forward to starting work on this as soon as he returns to full health. and asked me where the ear'duffs were. As he reached to pick them off the line the ship rolled One of my earliest memories of the Association was in December 1989, when I attended the 50th transferring a yellow stripe down his woolly pully. Thereafter he called us “The Beastly Flight”. We anniversary celebrations of the Battle of the River Plate aboard HMS Belfast in the Pool of London. never lived it down until he left the ship in Gib to three rousing cheers. No doubt many of you here today were at that event. More recently, in 2014, Katie and I together with my cousin Jonathan and a number of members of the Association travelled to Ajax Ontario to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle. We all remember how well we were looked after and how highly the Council, Mayor Parish and the Town of Ajax value the link with our Association. BLOOD DONOR I know that there is another trip to Ajax this August to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the visit of The following post was spotted in the HMS HMS Ajax to the city in 1976. This event is both a wonderful opportunity for members to see friends Ajax Facebook group. from the past and to spread the word about our Association. I was particularly interested in the update by Councillor Colleen Jordan in the March edition of the Association newsletter. 'During the monsoon season 1965, Ajax Soon after the unveiling of the Memorial to the Battle of the River Plate here at the National Memorial was in HK. There had been a landslide Arboretum in 2014,I was honoured to be made a Freeman of the City of Exeter following in the through the shanty town built up the slopes footsteps of my Grandfather and the ship's company of HMS Exeter after the Battle. I am keen to keep of The Peak (Victoria) and much in contact with events at Exeter and Katie and I were fortunate to be invited to a dinner at Guildhall in destruction, loss of life and injury ensued. Exeter last year, at the invitation of the Lord Mayor, Percy Prowse. I remember that Jim London was The local medics came aboard the Ajax en also present that evening and together with Basil Trott fascinated us all with stories and anecdotes from masse asking for blood donations - for two the Battle of the River Plate. cans of beer. Well, what Jack is going to turn Finally, on behalf of all those present, I want to thank Malcolm and Judi Collis, Peter Danks and all of down two cans for hardly even an armful of the Committee of our Association for organising this event and for their continued hard work and blood? commitment to keep alive the memory of the veterans of all the HMS Ajax' and those who fought in the This was the first time I gave blood - spilt Battle of the River Plate. blood, yes, quite often before - but not deliberately donated a full pint. 6. 7. think he sincerely meant it. RINGING ANOTHER AJAX BELL! I leave you with this view from our luncheon table Clive Sharplin (Associate member) looking out to “The Beat”. Ex-cop Malcolm Collis Following the publication of my article on Ajax's bells in the June 2015 issue of the Newsletter two told us “The Beat” is a Police Tribute to fallen association members told me that a bell attributed to HMS Ajax was housed at the prestigious Milton police officers and the avenue is of London plane Abbey school in the county of Dorset.. trees and horse chestnuts - chestnut wood was used This I have since investigated and found the following. In correspondence with the school I learned for truncheons. Just as we were leaving the luncheon, it started to drizzle. Although there was that the school was founded in 1954 and one year later when the founding headmaster left he was so much more that we wanted to see, we decided to succeeded by one Commander R. H. Hodgkinson RN retired who came to them from a similar tenure leave a fuller exploration of the Arboretum for in Rhodesia. Hodgkinson apparently served at Milton Abbey as headmaster until retiring in 1979 and another occasion. Everyone should go there at least once in a lifetime. apparently it was under his tutelage that the school prospered becoming the much sought after boarding school of today renowned for its educational excellence. There are no records as to how or why the bell arrived there but it is the collective belief of the staff that Hodgkinson probably brought it with him when joining, possibly being a personal collectable and he thought to put to it use by NMA SPEECH – BEN HARWOOD 9th April 2016 installing it in the dining hall to call the attendees to order when so required; a similar situation to that Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and thank you Peter for your kind introduction. As the Grandson now occupied by the bell from the 8th Ajax in the Council Chamber of the Town of Ajax. The board on of Admiral Harwood I am delighted to be here today at this wonderful event, with my wife Katie, to which it is mounted states that it from the 6th Ajax, the King George V Class 23,368 tonnes battleship represent the Harwood family. Unfortunately neither my father, Henry who is nearly 90, nor my Uncle in service between 1912 and 1926.Thus being from the 6th Ajax we can make note of it for the Stephen, who is convalescing from an operation, are able to be here today, but they send their best Association's records but remove it from the seventh Ajax's file as being outside of the scope of this wishes. Article. As I was preparing this speech last week I thought of the importance of keeping the memories alive of all the HMS Ajax' and the Battle of the River Plate, which increasing is down to my generation and that of my children. It is also our responsibility to ensure that our Association continues to thrive and future generations know and can learn about the action in December 1939 as well as the bravery and part LIFE ON THE FLIGHT DECK – Bing Crosby played by men such as Ted Wicks and Jim London, who are with us today. Hugh “Bing” Crosby was a CPO L Mech(A) Chief of the Flight during the 1976 visit to Ajax, As a family we are discussing the best way of pooling and sharing both historic knowledge and future Ontario. As part of the Town's preparations for the 40th anniversary visit we contacted members to try information about HMS Ajax, Exeter and the Battle of the River Plate. It should be easily available to and establish a crew list for that time. Bing was able to supply some information along with this tale: all parties and in an age when technology is changing so fast perhaps the appropriate place for it to be recorded is on the Association website, where there is already so much fascinating information. 'The only job we could give the Handler was painting the bits of ground equipment. Having spent his day repainting all the Wasp (helicopter) steering arms “Bright Yellow” he hung them from the wire My Uncle and Malcolm Collis have discussed the approach to this project and I know that Stephen is “washing line” we used to keep the ear'duffs on. Tubby (Captain Squires) popped down to watch us looking forward to starting work on this as soon as he returns to full health. and asked me where the ear'duffs were. As he reached to pick them off the line the ship rolled One of my earliest memories of the Association was in December 1989, when I attended the 50th transferring a yellow stripe down his woolly pully. Thereafter he called us “The Beastly Flight”. We anniversary celebrations of the Battle of the River Plate aboard HMS Belfast in the Pool of London. never lived it down until he left the ship in Gib to three rousing cheers. No doubt many of you here today were at that event. More recently, in 2014, Katie and I together with my cousin Jonathan and a number of members of the Association travelled to Ajax Ontario to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle. We all remember how well we were looked after and how highly the Council, Mayor Parish and the Town of Ajax value the link with our Association. BLOOD DONOR I know that there is another trip to Ajax this August to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the visit of The following post was spotted in the HMS HMS Ajax to the city in 1976. This event is both a wonderful opportunity for members to see friends Ajax Facebook group. from the past and to spread the word about our Association. I was particularly interested in the update by Councillor Colleen Jordan in the March edition of the Association newsletter. 'During the monsoon season 1965, Ajax Soon after the unveiling of the Memorial to the Battle of the River Plate here at the National Memorial was in HK. There had been a landslide Arboretum in 2014,I was honoured to be made a Freeman of the City of Exeter following in the through the shanty town built up the slopes footsteps of my Grandfather and the ship's company of HMS Exeter after the Battle. I am keen to keep of The Peak (Victoria) and much in contact with events at Exeter and Katie and I were fortunate to be invited to a dinner at Guildhall in destruction, loss of life and injury ensued. Exeter last year, at the invitation of the Lord Mayor, Percy Prowse. I remember that Jim London was The local medics came aboard the Ajax en also present that evening and together with Basil Trott fascinated us all with stories and anecdotes from masse asking for blood donations - for two the Battle of the River Plate. cans of beer. Well, what Jack is going to turn Finally, on behalf of all those present, I want to thank Malcolm and Judi Collis, Peter Danks and all of down two cans for hardly even an armful of the Committee of our Association for organising this event and for their continued hard work and blood? commitment to keep alive the memory of the veterans of all the HMS Ajax' and those who fought in the This was the first time I gave blood - spilt Battle of the River Plate. blood, yes, quite often before - but not deliberately donated a full pint. 8. 9.

NEWS FROM THE TOWN OF AJAX – Colleen Jordan The Town along with the Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Committee, Heritage Advisory Committee, Ajax Garden Club and J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate history students planted 700 red and white tulip Pat Bayly Bust Unveiling - Update bulbs at Veterans' Point Gardens. In April, the Town of Ajax unveiled a special bust of Ajax's first mayor, Benjamin de Forest “Pat” In a special bloom celebration, the Town presented the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 322 and staff Bayly. and students at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate with a photograph of the garden, pictured below. The bust, created by renowned sculptor Les Drysdale, is made of bronze and stands roughly three feet tall. It was made as a testament to a man considered an integral part of the development of Ajax as a community. The sculpture will be on display at Ajax Town Hall until it is permanently installed at the Pat Bayly Square development.

Members of Ajax Council, along with other dignitaries pose beside the bust of Pat Bayly.

Ajax Bomb Girls Funding Announcement Ajax Council, MP Mark Holland and members of the Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Committee hosted a special funding announcement for the first ever public art piece to honour the hundreds of thousands of Canadian women war workers, including those who worked at Defence Industries Limited (DIL). MP Mark Holland announced a grant from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, through the Building Communities - Arts and Heritage Program in the amount of $232,000 towards the memorial project, Regional Councillor Colleen bringing the total funds raised for the project to approximately $500,000. Jordan and Councillor Pat Brown pose with members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 322.

Town to celebrate 40th anniversary of the 8th HMS Ajax visit On Friday, August 26, 2016 at 2 p.m., the Town of Ajax will unveil a special memorial wall at Veteran's Point Gardens, located at the foot of Harwood Ave. S. and on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario, to commemorate and honour all Veterans who served on the HMS Ajax, HMS Achilles and HMS Exeter during the historic Battle of the River Plate during World War II, as well as those who served on the 8th HMS Ajax in 1976. Ajax Council, Ajax MP Mark Holland and original Ajax Bomb Girls accept funding To the Town's knowledge, this will be the first time all of these names are listed on one wall. The cheque from the Ministry of Canadian memorial wall will contain approximately 4,000 names of all the officers and men and the ships they Heritage. served on. The event will feature dignitaries, including Ajax Mayor Steve Parish and visiting Veterans from the 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Tulip Garden Bloom Celebration UK and their families. A special fly-past of a C130 Hercules out of Trenton Air Force Base will also take place during the ceremony. The Town of Ajax was the proud recipient of one of 140, 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Gardens distributed across Canada. The gardens are in celebration of the first gift of The Town will also host a number of street dedications in honour of Veterans on August 27, and a 100,000 Dutch tulip bulbs sent to Canadians in 1945. Town parade down Harwood Ave., the main street in Ajax, with a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion on August 28 to mark the end of the weekend celebrations. 8. 9.

Members of Ajax Council, along with other dignitaries pose beside the bust of Pat Bayly.

75th Anniversary of The Battle For CRETE As April 1941 opened Ajax was still in the Mediterranean where together with other Fleet units she had been used to carry some 58,000 Troops from North Africa to Greece to bolster the hard pressed Greek Army against BY Clive Sharplin (Associate member) an expected invasion by Nazi Germany's army which had swept through the Balkans like an unimpeded "There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing until it be thoroughly finished juggernaut and was now targeting Crete. Malta was still under siege and the Royal Naval forces were now yields the true glory." Sir Francis Drake 1587 -Vice Admiral and celebrated navigator of the first mostly operating from a base in Alexandria, a distance of 406.7 Miles (654.5 kms). Intelligence source from Elizabethan era 1540-1596. Ultra indicated an invasion of the Island of Crete by Nazi Germany in early May 1941 (note 6). In these actions around Crete the Axis air attacks were so vicious in their frequency and numbers of aircraft employed to the point of being on the verge of overwhelming. The British ships expended huge amounts of ammunition such that their defensive firepower was always a major consideration and often became restricted. Even their main armament was used in spite of its insufficient elevation limits. Several ships actually exhausted all of their ammunition and had to resort to firing signal and practice shells. The painting below displays just one of a whole host of such unbridled actions that occurred in the Mediterranean during this period of World War 2 with virtually no air cover protection for Royal Naval forces from the ferocity of the onslaught waged upon them by the German Luftwaffe.

Admiral A.B. Cunningham, thought to be on his flagship Warspite Captain Edward Desmond Bewly McCarthy DSO RN C in C Mediterranean Fleet, 1939 - 1943(note 1) Captain HMS Ajax 1940 – 1941 (note 2) This article celebrates the 75th Anniversaryof the Battle for Crete recognised by the Admiralty as having taken place from 15th May to 27th May 1941(note 3) and attempts to describe the part played in it by HMS Ajax. (note 4) Due to the number of ships involved, their complex manoeuvres and dispositions, their various strategic assignments, the sheer number of actions both singly and as part of specific groups together with eye witness observations this account must because of space restrictions in this journal be severely limited in size and content. The author, however, sincerely hopes that it will at best give an insight or snapshot of one of the Royal Navy's most iconic ships, HMS Ajax, in what was a very important, desperate battle, actually a campaign, with huge losses of ships and men, an excruciatingly sad battle of World War 2. While technically a defeat because Crete was lost I would argue that no blame should be laid at the Royal Navy's doormat, the Royal Navy © Sharplin family arc Oils by Wallace Trickett HMS Ajax at the battle for Crete. 0915hrs May 21st 1941 acquitted itself in the finest traditions of its long history and did everything they were asked to do and much Attacked by ten Junkers Ju87 Dive bombers, several near misses with bombs, damage to port shafts. (note7) more at a great cost which I believe Cunningham similarly argued in his report to the Admiralty. The fleet had carried an army from North Africa to Greece, evacuated it from Greece to Crete, and then evacuated it from As Greece fell to the German Army advancing through the Balkans on the night of April 24th the evacuation of Crete back to North Africa fighting every inch of the way. Yes Crete was lost but in this loss they managed to allied troops became inevitable. The Royal Navy, including Ajax, started to evacuate about 30,000 troops, achieve other objectives which lent a positive influence to the allies' future conduct of the war. As a result principally ANZAC with some British and Greek, carrying them southwards to the island of Crete. It became Hitler abandoned his plan to invade Malta and Sicily and any future deployment of Parachutist troops as too another Dunkirk. Ajax evacuated, among others, elements of the 6th New Zealand Brigade, 2/3 Australian expensive in men and equipment. Any blame for the loss of Crete I consider should be on the shoulders of the Battalion and last of all, on April 29th, Rear Admiral 'Tom' Baillie-Grohman RN (who was attached to the Staff senior military commanders particularly Major General Freberg's failure as Divisional Field Officer, his men of the General Officer Commanding Middle East) together with New Zealand's Major-General Bernard 'Tiny' deserved better. For the students of the minutiae of the Crete campaign at sea I can do no better than to refer Freberg VC, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who would soon take command of all allied military them to the C-in-C Mediterranean Admiral Sir A B Cunningham's full report to the Admiralty as published on forces on Crete. The allied forces arrived on Crete to be taunted by Nazi radio propaganda broadcasts that they 24th May 1948 as a supplement to The London gazette P 3103 – 3119. This account refers only to the naval had been landed on the 'Isle of Doom'. These broadcasts were prophetic as Ajax and the other naval ships found side, for an appreciation of the army's position there are several excellent books on the subject. (Refer to themselves only a few weeks later being called in to evacuate the allied forces they had so recently landed on bibliography). the island while also being asked to defend it from a German seaborne invasion. This battle was of a different type to any other that had ever been fought by any Navy before and its form, On May 20th after four days of continuous bombing German airborne forces began “Operation Merkur”, their intensity and ferocity was not to be repeated until that fought between Japan and the western alliance invasion of Crete. Admiral A.B. (Andrew Browne) Cunningham, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, principally the USA in the Pacific theatre of WW2. The significant difference was that a powerful fleet with or 'ABC' as he became known in the Royal Navy, had on May 19th issued instructions for night sweeps of the plenty of sea room to manoeuvre was to fight a virtually impossible war against an almost overwhelming air Aegean to challenge the expected seaborne invasion. force comprising both the German Luftwaffe and the Italian Air Royale who between them could muster well Daylight of May 21st found Ajax, under the command of Captain E. D. (Desmond) B. McCarthy, heading to over 2000 aircraft. With virtually no allied air cover the axis powers enjoyed total air superiority which put the the South West of Antikithera, beyond the southern tip of Greece, as part of Force D under the command of ships under persistent attack in a battle that was to become a campaign spread over some six weeks. While recently appointed Flag Officer, Rear-Admiral Irvine G. Glennie, in the cruiser Dido, together with the cruiser there were some ship-to-ship actions the major conflict was between the combined German and Italian aircraft Orion and four destroyers, Hasty, Hereward, Kimberley and Janus (note 8).Imperial was bombed seven days and Royal Naval ships who were poorly armed to defend themselves (note 5) and the lack of this defensive later on the 28th and so extensively damaged that she was deliberately sunk by Hotspur to prevent her from capability compounded by almost non-existent allied aircraft. It must be recognised that at this stage of the falling into enemy hands. Having swept the Maleme, Canea and Kissamo Bay areas of the Cretan coast the war nearly all of the Royal Navy's ships were extremely vulnerable to air attack due to the mistaken belief by previous night they had investigated what proved to be false reports of enemy seaborne landings at Heraklion, the Admiralty that they had been adequately equipped with regard to their armament. The reverse had quickly the squadron was heading to join other ships of the fleet in a major concentration of naval forces to defend the and horribly become apparent. During the spring of 1940 the effectiveness of German air attacks in all its island. On Ajax at 0800 the ships log recorded the weather conditions as 'sea state 11, wind westerly force 3, forms in actions off Norway against ships demonstrated just how completely the Admiralty had grossly visibility good, and position 35.27N/22.32E.' The log shows that the sea state would rise to 21, wind strengthen underestimated the ability of their ships to defend themselves against aerial attack with a lack of anti-aircraft slightly to force 4 west by north-west and visibility to become excellent by noon. (AA) guns and their control equipment. In his book “Crete 1941, The Battle at Sea”, David A Thomas wrote: 'The daylight hours of May 21st were to 10. 11.

loaded with helpless soldiers. Destroyers darting here and there snapping and tearing like a team of wolves witness violent and prolonged battles between warships and the bombers.' Frank Pearce in “Sea War, Great who had broken into a flock of sheep. One torpedo boat after firing torpedoes was hit by gunfire from Dido then Naval Battles of World War 2” wrote: '... the air was filled with the drone of approaching aircraft. They came in blown up by gunfire from Ajax. Every gun was blazing, pom-poms and machine guns riddling the caiques, droves.... it seemed impossible that any ship could survive such a massive attack.' The Admiralty official German soldiers weighed down by their personal kit leaping into the sea, between the roar of guns Hodgkinson record described it in “The Med, The Royal Navy in the Mediterranean 1939-45” as “the air attacks reached a and others on Hotspur's bridge could hear unearthly yells of doomed men mixed with the last cries of drowning crescendo the following day(May 21st) when our ships were bombed in every conceivable way from dawn to men. The cruisers were ramming all they could catch - ramming to preserve ammunition. It was appalling dusk”. The Admiralty Account of Naval Operations: April 1941 to January 1943 (from which some of this slaughter but if Hitler liked to send these men to an obvious doom it was Hodgkinson wrote not “really our article is sourced) gives a most vivid description on page 29: 'In this and subsequent bombings, every form of fault”. He also proved to be a witness of something my father had told me just once of that night but of which I attack was made on the ships; high level, single and formation; massed bombing by Junkers (Stukas) 87s and had never previously seen any confirmation. Hodgkinson saw Ajax appear out of the fray with half a caique 88s and Hinkle 111s; high-speed horizontal attacks by Messerschmitts, or shallow dives at a height of a few wrapped around her bow throwing up a huge bow wave, my father had told me that despite a series of hundred feet, aircraft returned to their adjoining airfields (in Greece), bombed up, ammunitioned, refuelled manoeuvres the caique could not be shaken off and remained wrapped around Ajax's bow to be removed upon and returned independently to the attack. Admiral Cunningham the C-in-C in his memoirs referrers to this her return to Alexandria by which time he had said the overwhelming odour was almost unbearable. This is period of tragedy in Cretan waters as “a disastrous period in our naval history, a period of great tension and probably the same event reported by Vincent O'Hara in his 'Struggle for the Middle Sea' (P120) where he anxiety such as I have never experienced before or since”. reports Ajax bending her bow by ramming a caique. Cunningham reported an estimated 4,000 German troops were drowned and that the first attempted invasion of Crete by sea was completely frustrated. A second flotilla of German troops were withdrawn by their high command and taken back to Piraeus rather than risk further loss of life. There is no spot more naked under heaven than the deck (of a ship) as a stick of bombs falls slanting towards it. The assailant may be the size of a gnat on the rim of a far off cloud; it may be a raid approaching from four quarters, roaring down with machine guns and cannon spraying the decks with explosive shell; the bombs may fall unheralded out of the blinding Mediterranean sun or low-lying cloud; they may burst on the surface of the sea, flinging a myriad of steel splinters abroad, killing or wounding everybody in their path, piercing anything but armour; they may burst under the surface, throwing up the water in the semblance of gigantic monoliths that, as they collapse, deluge the pom-poms and machine-guns and their crews, and flood the ventilation trunks. These explosions lift the ship as if a giant had kicked her, wrenching the steering gear, straining frames A stuka of the squadron which attacked Ajax on and plates. They are called near-misses, and the men, watching the bombs scream down at the ship, thank God May21st 1941 for them as the alternative to a direct hit.' For those of the crew below decks in the ship's magazines, machinery spaces, engine and boiler rooms devoid of a view of what was actually happening in the attacks on their ship it was particularly harrowing and stressful. On the morning of the 21st May at 0825 the Ajax ship's log reads the order 'Hands to repel aircraft stations' was One officer (note 10) whose ship was similarly attacked in the same battle that day described it thus:"During a given to confront an imminent attack by Heinkel 111 bombers. At 0915 the log reads 'Attacked by ten Ju 87 prolonged bombing attack such as we endured, engine room and boiler rooms resemble the inside of a giant's dive bombers, several very near misses with bombs, damage to port shafts'. Ajax was working up to high speed kettle against which a sledge hammer is being beaten with uncertain aim. Sometimes there was an almighty commencing an evasive hard turn as her orders were 'manoeuvre to avoid (air attack)'. This attack ceased at clang; sometimes the giant in his frustration, seemed to pick up the kettle and shake and even kick it. The 0922, the whole action had lasted just seven minutes although it must have seemed like an eternity to Ajax's officer detailed to broadcast (from the ship's bridge) a running commentary suffered a breakdown during the crew. A little later at 1050 another pair of Stukas attacked. The J-Class Destroyer Juno came under a high-level battle so we heard little below but through the noise and heat (which might easily have been up to 40o C) of the attack from Italian CANT Z.1007 aircraft from 50th group, one hit found a magazine causing three huge machinery spaces we came to understand something of what was happening on deck ….we could hear our mortal explosions which literally split her in two, (note 9) she sank in less than two minutes 30 nautical miles 5.25-inch turrets opening fire which told us aircraft were attacking. Next, the bridge telegraphs might signal south-east of Crete. Juno had survived 3 hours of continuous bombing, 6 officers and 91 ratings were picked Full Speed and we would see the rudder indicator move … at the moment the bombs release. This would be up by the destroyers Kingston, Kandahar and Nubian, but 170crew were lost. Then in the afternoon there was followed by the sound of the short-range weapons as the bomber pulled out of his dive … we learned to another ferocious attack that lasted for 2½ hours followed by a further attack that evening all of which were interpret by the ensuing shake or shudder or clang the success or otherwise of our navigators' avoiding action. beaten off. “From time to time my chief or I would visit the boiler rooms. Here, for hour after hour after frightening hour, The first lieutenant of the destroyer Hotspur, Lieutenant Hugh Hodgkinson D.S.C. R.N. was to later write that with ears popping from air pressure the young stokers knew and heard little of what was going on apart from at five that afternoon (May 21st) they received their orders for the following night. There were reports from the obvious near misses and scream of the boiler room fans. On their alertness, as they watched for orders to our long-range reconnaissance of large fleets of Caiques and transports escorted by destroyers making down open or shut off oil sprayers to the furnaces, depended the precise supply of steam available to meet sudden the Aegean steering towards Suda Bay. Hotspur together with other destroyers were to escort Ajax, Orion and changes of speed ordered ... on which (the ship's) survival depended" (note 11).There is an authoritative source Dido under Rear-Admiral Glennie to go look for them. A second force consisting of Fiji, Gloucester and two which writes of the extreme mental stress which the crew below decks experienced causing some 60 crew destroyers were to screen the entrance though the Kithira Channel to prevent any Italian forces breaking in members being hospitalised with mental issues, (but not defined where treated on-shore or in the ship) we from the west, while the main battle fleet with their destroyer screen remained farther to the south-west to act would now describe this as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder, an illness not then diagnosed). Cunningham as general support if required. Cunningham decided to add yet more ships to the expected action by sending may have in fact been referring to this in his final report to the Admiralty in which he wrote “no more could out from Alexandria yet another squadron comprising the four cruisers, Naiad, the Australian Perth, Carlisle have been asked. (note 11) Losses and damage were sustained which would normally only occur during a and Calcutta. major fleet action, in which the enemy fleet might be expected to suffer greater losses than our own. In this case So during the night of the 21st/22nd there were two battleships, nine cruisers and about twenty destroyers the enemy fleet did not appear (though it had many favourable opportunities for doing so) and the battle was operating around Crete. At 11:30 pm Glennie's squadron of cruisers including Ajax met a large number of fought between ships and aircraft”. enemy groups, which long-range reconnaissance had earlier detected, consisting of many caiques and several May 22nd proved to be a day of sorrow for the Royal Navy summed up by a quotation from PO Ray Parkin who small steamers packed with German troops escorted by destroyers and torpedo boats, as steering towards was there on that day in HMAS Perth who wrote in his biography “You cannot combat aircraft only with ships. Suda Bay and even managed to surprise a destroyer before it could get away. The enemy's reserve' seemed inexhaustible”.A not surprising comment when later estimates of the German But chivalry was not to be abroad this night and Glennie's squadron created sheer mayhem among the enemy. Order of Battle put their aircraft strength as being about 700 dive bombers and fighter bombers, 180 fighters, Cunningham reported his ships as having “conducted themselves with zest and energy”. Hodgkinson 500 transports and 80 troop gliders. With their airfields being as close as ten minutes flying time away from the described the scene as,“a fairly gruesome spectacle” lit by flashes from each gun salvo, the caiques pitifully naval action it was so easy for them to attack, unload their bombs and return to base to refuel and re-arm to then 14. 15. make a further sortie and if this wasn't enough the Italians could muster 2,000 aircraft, just thirty minutes particularly favoured. Achilles, a sister ship to Ajax had her aircraft and aircraft catapult removed in flying time away. An absolute aerial armada. In the ensuing mêlée 10 caiques were sunk, their troops killed or Alexandria to be replaced in that deck space by a twin pom-pom mounting, Ajax underwent similar change thrown into the sea and the Italian destroyer Lupo damaged. thought to be at about the same time and place (location and time not yet proven). So much repair work was carried out including on-the-spot modifications as ships came into port and had sufficient time to allow the One week later on May 28th, Ajax received a direct bomb hit causing a fire and 20 men were seriously work to take place.[From Ajax diary -13/3/41 Arr. Alex. - during March the catapult was removed and a quad wounded. The damage forced her to be detached from the action to return to base. The task of defending Crete 2pdr gun mounting fitted in its place while the forward 0.5in MGs were moved aft to port and starboard abreast ultimately proved fruitless at a dreadful cost to the Royal Navy with 2,252 men dead and 430 wounded (note the mainmast. Six captured Italian single Breda 20mm AA guns were installed (2 on the quarterdeck, 2 on the 11). Ajax lost 11 dead and had 38 wounded. 9 ships were sunk - 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers. 18 were damaged boatdeck forward of the mainmast & 2 abreast the bridge at upper deck level)] including 2 battleships, the only aircraft carrier, 2 cruisers and 2 destroyers, some so badly that they could not be repaired within the Mediterranean facilities capabilities and were despatched to other repair locations such 6. Reliable intelligence was being provided by the codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire who as in South Africa, even to the USA. were able to decipher the Nazi German Enigma codes. Intelligence from this most secret source were attributed under a disguise as coming from “Ultra”. The existence of Bletchley Park and its function was one of the most closely guarded secrets of the entire war. 7. Extract from HMS Ajax ship's Log held in National Archive, Kew. 8. The names of the destroyers in company with Ajax during the morning's “near miss” incident vary across the range of published accounts. Those named in this account are taken from Ajax's Daily Diary which also states that Hasty and Hereward were replaced by Imperial and Isis later in the day. Vincent O'Hara in his book “The Struggle for the Middle Sea – The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean 1940 – 1945”, P118 -119, agrees with those in Ajax's Daily Diary as do the Daily Diaries for Kimberley and Hereward. Confusion may also have arisen in that the disposition of the various ships across the four Forces also changed, in fact Force A on one change became Force A1 with a completely different composition of ships. Whereas Forces B, C and D had undergone changes which do not appear to have resulted in their being recoded as for example Force A to A1 had been. Cunningham's report of May 24th to the Admiralty published as a Supplement to The London Gazette on 24 May 1948, P3106 para 14 (a) states that at “2200 hrs on May 20th the destroyers were Kimberley, Imperial, Isis and Juno”. In this article I have therefore taken the Daily Diaries for Ajax, Kimberley and Hereward to be the primary source documents as I judge it these three ships are most unlikely to have all made the same error. The Battle for Crete -. Fleet movements and events from dusk 20 May 1941 9. An eye witness describes it as two blazing funeral pyres. Notes 10. Ibid, Bibliography - “The Royal Navy, An Illustrated Social History 1870 - 1982", Page 184. A 1. Cunningham was much decorated and highly respected being awarded the DSO with two bars, CB, KCB, contemporary account by Admiral Le Bailly, then Senior Engineer Officer in HMS Naiad, a Dido Class Anti- Gcb, and promoted to First Sea Lord 1943. In 1945 he was ennobled Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, OM, Aircraft Cruiser. Involved in the battle that same day she suffered several air attacks and received some splinter as well as being awarded many foreign decorations. He was appointed Lord High Steward at the Coronation of damage and flooding forward. In heavy air attacks the next day 181 bombs were aimed at Naiad causing Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. serious damage including two gun turrets disabled and her speed reduced to 16 knots. On 11 March 1942 she 2. A copy of this photo of in our Association's archive has inscribed on it the unsigned caption: was torpedoed and sunk by German U-Boat U565 south of Crete. “The Captain used to smoke a huge pipe and during attacks by German Dive Bombers he could often be seen 11. At the conclusion of this campaign in August 1941 Admiral Cunningham wrote in his report to the striding up and down the upper bridge puffing out clouds of smoke, coughing like mad and giving sharp last Admiralty: “More than once I felt that the stage had been reached when no more could be asked of officers and minute helm and engine orders. Just before the bomb struck, almost, Ajax would turn “on a sixpence” and the men, physically and mentally exhausted by their efforts and by the events of these fateful weeks. It is perhaps bomb exploded yards away.” (March 2012 Association Newsletter, P12) even now not realised how nearly the breaking point was reached, but that these men struggled through is the measure of their achievement and I trust that it will not lightly be forgotten. The Mediterranean Fleet paid a 3. Dates taken from Admiral Cunningham's report of the Battle to the Admiralty (Supplement to the London heavy price for the achievement. Losses and damage were sustained which would normally only occur during Gazette of 24th May 1948) a major fleet action, in which the enemy fleet might be expected to suffer greater losses than our own. In this 4. Ajax was a Leander Class Light Cruiser launched in 1934, first commissioned in 1938 and had arrived in the case the enemy fleet did not appear (though it had many favourable opportunities for doing so) and the battle Mediterranean following a lengthy repair and refit in Chatham Naval Dockyard after her participation in was fought between ships and aircraft”. sinking the German Pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate after which public opinion and propaganda had made her an icon of the Royal Navy and a much sought after target of Nazi Germany. She was the seventh Royal Naval Ship to be named Ajax in the last 248 years. These ships were BIBLIOGRAPHY awarded between them a total of 17 Battle honours, and the 1934 light cruiser Ajax was to win the most honours Max Arthur, “Lost Voices of the Royal Navy”, Hodder & Stoughton,2005 with a total of nine, six of which were won in the Mediterranean campaigns of 1941. Five of these were Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, “A Sailors Odyssey”, Hutchinson, 1951 awarded over a period of just 12 tumultuous months, which included the battle for Crete. This was not single Alan Clark, “The Fall of Crete”, Cassell Military Paperbacks, 1962 ship action as such but a bitterly fought campaign involving single and multi-ship actions but mainly fighting J JColledge& Ben Warlow, Lt Cdr.R.N. (Retd), “Ships of the Royal Navy”, Casemate, 2010 overwhelming hordes of enemy aircraft which extended over some 6 weeks. Mike Carlton, “Cruiser, The Life and Loss of HMAS Perth and Her Crew”, William Heinemann Australia, 5. It was only in the opening months of 1941 that this was beginning to be rectified with the almost desperate 2010 short term solution of installing 20mm oerlikon guns in ships as they came in for resupply, repair or refit. Hugh Hodgkinson, ILtCdr. R.N., DSC, “Before The Tide Turned, The Mediterranean Experience of A Governed by manufacturing capacity these guns initially were in such limited numbers the first ships, Galatea, British Destroyer Officer in 1941”, George G Harrap& Co Ltd, 1944 Devonshire and Orion, only received two or three.(Ibid - Raven & Roberts, “British Cruisers of World War Gordon Holman, “The King's Cruisers”, Hodder & Stoughton, 1947 Two”, P 324). The written records of those who were there shows many examples of ships' companies foraging for guns even from captured sources, of suitable calibre to take to mount on their own ships, machine guns were Donald Macintyre, “The Battle for the Mediterranean”, B.T. Batsford,1964 14. 15. make a further sortie and if this wasn't enough the Italians could muster 2,000 aircraft, just thirty minutes particularly favoured. Achilles, a sister ship to Ajax had her aircraft and aircraft catapult removed in flying time away. An absolute aerial armada. In the ensuing mêlée 10 caiques were sunk, their troops killed or Alexandria to be replaced in that deck space by a twin pom-pom mounting, Ajax underwent similar change thrown into the sea and the Italian destroyer Lupo damaged. thought to be at about the same time and place (location and time not yet proven). So much repair work was carried out including on-the-spot modifications as ships came into port and had sufficient time to allow the One week later on May 28th, Ajax received a direct bomb hit causing a fire and 20 men were seriously work to take place.[From Ajax diary -13/3/41 Arr. Alex. - during March the catapult was removed and a quad wounded. The damage forced her to be detached from the action to return to base. The task of defending Crete 2pdr gun mounting fitted in its place while the forward 0.5in MGs were moved aft to port and starboard abreast ultimately proved fruitless at a dreadful cost to the Royal Navy with 2,252 men dead and 430 wounded (note the mainmast. Six captured Italian single Breda 20mm AA guns were installed (2 on the quarterdeck, 2 on the 11). Ajax lost 11 dead and had 38 wounded. 9 ships were sunk - 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers. 18 were damaged boatdeck forward of the mainmast & 2 abreast the bridge at upper deck level)] including 2 battleships, the only aircraft carrier, 2 cruisers and 2 destroyers, some so badly that they could not be repaired within the Mediterranean facilities capabilities and were despatched to other repair locations such 6. Reliable intelligence was being provided by the codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire who as in South Africa, even to the USA. were able to decipher the Nazi German Enigma codes. Intelligence from this most secret source were attributed under a disguise as coming from “Ultra”. The existence of Bletchley Park and its function was one of the most closely guarded secrets of the entire war. 7. Extract from HMS Ajax ship's Log held in National Archive, Kew. 8. The names of the destroyers in company with Ajax during the morning's “near miss” incident vary across the range of published accounts. Those named in this account are taken from Ajax's Daily Diary which also states that Hasty and Hereward were replaced by Imperial and Isis later in the day. Vincent O'Hara in his book “The Struggle for the Middle Sea – The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean 1940 – 1945”, P118 -119, agrees with those in Ajax's Daily Diary as do the Daily Diaries for Kimberley and Hereward. Confusion may also have arisen in that the disposition of the various ships across the four Forces also changed, in fact Force A on one change became Force A1 with a completely different composition of ships. Whereas Forces B, C and D had undergone changes which do not appear to have resulted in their being recoded as for example Force A to A1 had been. Cunningham's report of May 24th to the Admiralty published as a Supplement to The London Gazette on 24 May 1948, P3106 para 14 (a) states that at “2200 hrs on May 20th the destroyers were Kimberley, Imperial, Isis and Juno”. In this article I have therefore taken the Daily Diaries for Ajax, Kimberley and Hereward to be the primary source documents as I judge it these three ships are most unlikely to have all made the same error. The Battle for Crete -. Fleet movements and events from dusk 20 May 1941 9. An eye witness describes it as two blazing funeral pyres. Notes 10. Ibid, Bibliography - “The Royal Navy, An Illustrated Social History 1870 - 1982", Page 184. A 1. Cunningham was much decorated and highly respected being awarded the DSO with two bars, CB, KCB, contemporary account by Admiral Le Bailly, then Senior Engineer Officer in HMS Naiad, a Dido Class Anti- Gcb, and promoted to First Sea Lord 1943. In 1945 he was ennobled Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, OM, Aircraft Cruiser. Involved in the battle that same day she suffered several air attacks and received some splinter as well as being awarded many foreign decorations. He was appointed Lord High Steward at the Coronation of damage and flooding forward. In heavy air attacks the next day 181 bombs were aimed at Naiad causing Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. serious damage including two gun turrets disabled and her speed reduced to 16 knots. On 11 March 1942 she 2. A copy of this photo of in our Association's archive has inscribed on it the unsigned caption: was torpedoed and sunk by German U-Boat U565 south of Crete. “The Captain used to smoke a huge pipe and during attacks by German Dive Bombers he could often be seen 11. At the conclusion of this campaign in August 1941 Admiral Cunningham wrote in his report to the striding up and down the upper bridge puffing out clouds of smoke, coughing like mad and giving sharp last Admiralty: “More than once I felt that the stage had been reached when no more could be asked of officers and minute helm and engine orders. Just before the bomb struck, almost, Ajax would turn “on a sixpence” and the men, physically and mentally exhausted by their efforts and by the events of these fateful weeks. It is perhaps bomb exploded yards away.” (March 2012 Association Newsletter, P12) even now not realised how nearly the breaking point was reached, but that these men struggled through is the measure of their achievement and I trust that it will not lightly be forgotten. The Mediterranean Fleet paid a 3. Dates taken from Admiral Cunningham's report of the Battle to the Admiralty (Supplement to the London heavy price for the achievement. Losses and damage were sustained which would normally only occur during Gazette of 24th May 1948) a major fleet action, in which the enemy fleet might be expected to suffer greater losses than our own. In this 4. Ajax was a Leander Class Light Cruiser launched in 1934, first commissioned in 1938 and had arrived in the case the enemy fleet did not appear (though it had many favourable opportunities for doing so) and the battle Mediterranean following a lengthy repair and refit in Chatham Naval Dockyard after her participation in was fought between ships and aircraft”. sinking the German Pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate after which public opinion and propaganda had made her an icon of the Royal Navy and a much sought after target of Nazi Germany. She was the seventh Royal Naval Ship to be named Ajax in the last 248 years. These ships were BIBLIOGRAPHY awarded between them a total of 17 Battle honours, and the 1934 light cruiser Ajax was to win the most honours Max Arthur, “Lost Voices of the Royal Navy”, Hodder & Stoughton,2005 with a total of nine, six of which were won in the Mediterranean campaigns of 1941. Five of these were Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, “A Sailors Odyssey”, Hutchinson, 1951 awarded over a period of just 12 tumultuous months, which included the battle for Crete. This was not single Alan Clark, “The Fall of Crete”, Cassell Military Paperbacks, 1962 ship action as such but a bitterly fought campaign involving single and multi-ship actions but mainly fighting J JColledge& Ben Warlow, Lt Cdr.R.N. (Retd), “Ships of the Royal Navy”, Casemate, 2010 overwhelming hordes of enemy aircraft which extended over some 6 weeks. Mike Carlton, “Cruiser, The Life and Loss of HMAS Perth and Her Crew”, William Heinemann Australia, 5. It was only in the opening months of 1941 that this was beginning to be rectified with the almost desperate 2010 short term solution of installing 20mm oerlikon guns in ships as they came in for resupply, repair or refit. Hugh Hodgkinson, ILtCdr. R.N., DSC, “Before The Tide Turned, The Mediterranean Experience of A Governed by manufacturing capacity these guns initially were in such limited numbers the first ships, Galatea, British Destroyer Officer in 1941”, George G Harrap& Co Ltd, 1944 Devonshire and Orion, only received two or three.(Ibid - Raven & Roberts, “British Cruisers of World War Gordon Holman, “The King's Cruisers”, Hodder & Stoughton, 1947 Two”, P 324). The written records of those who were there shows many examples of ships' companies foraging for guns even from captured sources, of suitable calibre to take to mount on their own ships, machine guns were Donald Macintyre, “The Battle for the Mediterranean”, B.T. Batsford,1964 16. 17.

Ministry of Information, “East of Malta, West Of Suez, The Admiralty Account of the Naval War in the OPERATION BITING Eastern Mediterranean September 1939 to March 1941”, H.M. Stationary Office, 1943 S.W.C. Pack “The Battle for Crete”, Ian Allan, 1973 Ken Holden attended the 74th anniversary of Operation Biting at the Memorial at Saint Jouin de Bruneval. Ken lives in France and will be 97 in October. He served on board Ajax from 1942-43. Alan Raven & John Roberts, “British Cruisers of World War Two”, Arms & Armour Press, 1945 (London) & Naval Institute Press 1980 (USA) Operation Biting, also known as the Bruneval Raid, Peter C Smith, “Stukas over the Mediterranean 1940-1945”, Greenhill Books, 1999 was the code name given to a British Combined Jeff Stevens, “HMS Ajax 1935-49”, Self-Published, 2014 Operations raid on a German radar installation at Bruneval in northern France, which took place on David A Thomas, “Crete, the Battle at Sea”, Cassell, 1972 &Efstathiadis Group, Athens, 1972 the night of 27–28 February 1942 during World War Peter Thomson “Anzac Fury” William Heinemann, Australia, 2010 II. Pattie Wright, “Ray Parkin's Odyssey”, Pan Macmillan Australia, 2012 A number of these installations were identified from Rowland Langmaid, “The Med, The Royal Navy in the Mediterranean 1939 -1945”, The Batchworth Royal Air Force (RAF) aerial reconnaissance Press, 1948 photographs during 1941, but their exact purpose Sharplin Family Archive and the nature of the equipment that they possessed Vincent O'Hara, “The Struggle for the Middle Sea, the Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean” 1940- was not known. However, a number of British 1945,Conew, 2009 scientists believed that these stations were Ben Warlow, Lt Cdr.R.N. (Retd), “Battle Honours of the Royal Navy”, “Maritime Books”, 2004 connected with the heavy losses being experienced Captain John Wells, CBE, DSC, (RN Retd), “The Royal Navy, An illustrated Social History 1870-1982”, by RAF bombers conducting bombing raids against Alan Sutton Publishing, 1994. targets in Occupied Europe. The scientists requested that one of these installations be raided and the technology it possessed be studied and, if possible, extracted Journals and brought back to Britain for further examination. Due to the extensive coastal defences erected by the Various Newsletters of The HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association. England. Germans to protect the installation from a seaborne raid, it was believed that aCommando raid from the sea World at War. #41 April- May 2015. would suffer heavy losses and give sufficient time for the garrison at the installation to destroy the Würzburg Digital radar set. It was therefore decided that an airborne assault followed by seaborne evacuation would be the most http://www.naval-history.net/ practicable way to surprise the garrison of the installation, seize the technology intact, and minimise casualties to the raiding force. Acknowledgements Alan Strachan BA Hons History, MA in Maritime History - family archive. On the night of 27 February, after a period of intense training and several delays due to poor weather, a Elizabeth Penny, Archive, Administration and Editor company of airborne troops under the command of Major John Frost parachuted into France a few miles from the installation. The main force then assaulted the villa in which the radar equipment was kept, killing several Malcolm Collis, Archivist, The HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association. members of the German garrison and capturing the installation after a brief firefight. An RAF technician with the force dismantled the Würzburg radar array and removed several key pieces, after which the force withdrew BATTLE OF JUTLAND – Malcolm Collis to the evacuation beach. However, the detachment assigned to clear the beach had initially failed to do so, but the German force guarding it was soon eliminated with the help of the main force. The raiding troops were The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland was commemorated on 31st May. In 1916 a huge fleet of picked up by landing craft, then transferred to several Motor Gun Boats which returned them to Britain. British and German warships engaged in the North Sea off the Jutland Peninsula creating the largest naval battle in history. 150 British warships took on 99 German ones and although Britain lost more ships (14 The raid was entirely successful. The airborne troops suffered relatively few casualties, and the pieces of the and over 6000 lives lost) compared to Germany (9 ships and 2500 lost) the German fleet was never again radar they brought back, along with a captured German radar technician, allowed British scientists to to be in a position to put to sea and challenge the British Navy in the North Sea. understand enemy advances in radar and to create countermeasures to neutralise them. One of those warships was the sixth HMS Ajax, a King George V Class Battleship launched in 1913 and decommissioned in 1924, and for the part she played received Battle Honours. Whilst we still have quite a few Cruiser veterans and associates in the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association we don't have Decorated war hero, John Garrard, 93, receives highest honour for any Battleship ones other than me, as my great uncle Trimmer Hulance served in her in 1923 as a CPO, so his part in D-Day landings I qualify twice! Our Standard Bearer Alf Larkin, Mike Fox and Fred Coates represented the Association at the Portland Following on from the piece in the last Newsletter about Allan Cenotaph on the 31st May and a wreath was laid on behalf of the Association. Lorriman comes mention of another recipient, in the Colchester Daily Gazette – well done John. A DECORATED war hero has received a medal for his contribution to the D-Day landings. John Garrard, 93, from Colchester, received the Chevalier de la Legion - or Legion of Honour - for his contribution to the liberation of France during the Second World War. The medal is the highest award in its class and is the 15th medal in his collection. Mr Garrard moved to Colchester at a young age and it was in the town where he met his wife Jean to whom he has been married for 69 years. Mrs Garrard, 92, said: “He could not have been more pleased to receive it.” Within two years of joining the Navy and training at the HMS Ganges in Shotley, Mr Garrard was being called Mike & Alf up to defend his country at the age of just 17. 16. 17.

In 1944, he took part in the D-Day landings. He said: “I was on a destroyer, called HMS Kempenfelt. Nails from Coventry Cathedral was carried in front of Jim's coffin and we heard of Jim's work within the community of the cross of nails. There were many representatives from all these groups and a lot of medals “We were in a bombardment group just off of Juno beach supporting the Canadian Army.” being proudly worn including Jim and Ray London and Elizabeth Remmick Broughton and her brother Mr Garrard is one of just four remaining crewmen who served on the HMS Ajax at the battle of River Plate and Jonathan from the River Plate Veterans and Families Association. We met Jim's son and daughter and other for this he has the honour of a street being named after him in the town of Ajax, Ontario. family members and it was very apparent that Jim will be very sadly missed. After the war, Mr Garrard remained in the Navy for 25 years and went on to serve in Korea before becoming a Arthur Neville Mould formerly Howard training instructor. We became aware of the death of Arthur Howard (now Mould) who served in Ajax during WW2 through the He returned to Colchester and worked as an ambulance driver for 15 years before retiring at the age of 63. Ajax Facebook page along with an appeal for the Association to attend the funeral as he had no family. Howard was not a member but Malcolm emailed members who live in the area. The date clashed with the Battle of Jutland services attended by Alf Larkin and Mike Fox with the standard and Alan Phillips was committed. Rob MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S UPDATE JUNE 2016 Hearne an Associate member whose Grandfather served on board Ajax from 1937-41,was able to attend the funeral held at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on Tuesday 31st May. Arthur was aged 93 and joined Ajax at Crossed the Bar the tender age of 14 putting him in the first commission. A big thanks to Rob for representing the Association. Sadly I have to report the deaths of two members since the April newsletter and our trip to the NMA. New members Dennis William Douglas Lowndes served on board the I am pleased to report several new members who served on board the frigate and also new associate members. cruiser1943-46. Dennis crossed the bar on 5th April having You are all so important to us to keep the Association a viable option to continue in future years. reached the grand age of 92 on 4th March. His daughter Sheila Allen from Sutton in Surrey has joined us as an associate following her father's crossing the bar - Dennis Sheila Allen is now an associate member. Alf Larkin and Lowndes (see above). Alan Phillips represented the Association and below is a report that Alan sent me. Bruce Clements from Newquay in Cornwall has joined us as an associate member. His father Henry Herbert 'On a rather chilly and overcast Friday afternoon over 40 Clements (Clem) was a flight sergeant (RAF) on board HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate*.It is family members, close friends, myself and Alf gathered at great to have an Associate with Achilles connections. the North East Surrey Crematorium, Morden to say a last [*Editor's note – he is definitely listed as RAF on the Achilles Plate list which is interesting as, as far as I am farewell to Dennis. aware, Achilles was not carrying planes at that time although she should have had two Walrus' – quote from the diary of Milton C Hill Achilles NZ 1335 AB for 13 December 1939 “In the first 10 minutes the Ajax managed to Unfortunately, due to an accident in nearby Grand Drive, get her plane up, the Exeter was hit on the catapults blowing both her aircraft to pieces, while we didn't have Dennis arrived 20 mins late for his own funeral. Dennis' any to put up – worse luck. Can anyone enlighten me?] coffin was carried in covered by a White Ensign and placed at the altar. On top was a lovely photo of Dennis in his RN Serena Harwood, George Harwood and Giles Harwood are great grandchildren of Admiral Harwood. They uniform (war time issue black cap) and a beautiful display of flowers in the shape of a football in the colours of attended our celebrations in 2014. Their parents Ben and Kate Harwood came to the memorial service this his favourite team, Wolverhampton Wanderers. year at the NMA in April, when Ben spoke of the importance of keeping the memories alive through our younger generations. (see separate article) Rodney Allen his brother-in-law gave a Eulogy, recalling Dennis in his younger days before he joined up as well as his sporting abilities at football and boxing and many family antidotes, including a string vest that was mentioned a few times. One of the main items that Rodney mentioned was the time Dennis served on the Ajax (1943-45) including the D-Day landings that Ajax took part in and his time in the Mediterranean. For his part in the D-Day landings Denis was recently appointed Chevalierde la Legion d'Honneur. Rodney also mentioned and thanked the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association for the attendance of myself and Alf with the Association's standard. I felt the family were very proud of Dennis' service in the Royal Navy and it was touching to hear his granddaughter Rachel Allen and grandson Mathew Lowndes read out the poem “The Old Salt”. A Commendation, Farewell, Committal and Prayer of Blessing followed, with the Associations standard lowered and raised at the appropriate time. Serena L to R: Giles, Ben and George A fitting end to a lovely service for a former Ajax man. RIP. Andrew Laker from Carnock Fife in Scotland served on board the frigate from 1975–76. From 1974-80 he James Brian Smith sadly lost his brave battle with cancer on May 17th aged 69. went from Ganges, Mercury, Minerva, Ajax (Seaman EW), Pembroke followed by a change to cook then Jim was the son of Tobias Smith who served on board HMS Exeter during The Caledonia, Collingwood, Bristol &Gannett. Andy was a member quite a while before I became membership Battle of the River Plate. Jim was a member of the River Plate Veterans& Families secretary; thank you Sam Seagrave for persuading him to re-join us. Andy finds getting about difficult Association (Exeter) and became secretary in 1998. He regularly attended our nowadays but we hope he might be able to join us at one of our reunions in the future. reunions (bringing along the ship's badge plaques that he made as gifts for visitors) and later joined as an associate member and was on the committee for Joseph Daniel McGuire lives in Buckingham. Great Grandson of his namesake Joe planning our River Plate Memorial. Jim produced the line drawings of the four Collis, and our grandson, who was on the first commission of the cruiser in 1935-37, ships on it and was a great help in checking the details with the rest of the team to he crossed the bar in 2012 and was very proud to be a member of the Association and produce the final monument. Jim served in the Royal Naval Reserve between the work that Malcolm and I continue to do in his honour. 'Young' Joe is looking 1967 and 1972 and again 1974 to 1979 as Able-leading Seaman. He was also a forward to going to Canada with us in August and seeing Collis Lane. member of the Sea Cadet Corps from 1966 until he retired as Unit Commanding Officer in 2003. Malcolm and I represented the Association at the church and cremation service in Doncaster on Friday afternoon the 27thMay and start of the bank holiday weekend. A replica of the Cross of Joseph at the NMA in 2014 18. 19.

Rosalind and Bill Mitchell are from Falkirk in Scotland. They both travelled down to the NMA in April transfer or using the 'subscribe' or 'donate' buttons on our website. joined by members Karen and Jim Skilling from Edinburgh. Rosalind and Karen are the daughters of Bill Bank details: HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Assoc Account no.24865868, sort code 30-99-56. Swanston – spotting the smoke fame at the River Plate. Rosalind and Bill have been supportive of us for There are still a few outstanding so please rectify this as soon as possible. Drop me an email or call if you several years and been following our progress through Karen but are now associate members. are in doubt.

Thank you to everyone who attended the NMA it was great seeing you all in such good spirits. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Ajax Canada in August- the trip is for everyone including the 76 'boys' and as reported elsewhere the Town is planning a great way to commemorate all those who served on the Ajax cruiser and frigate who have not got streets in their honour. It's going to be an exciting trip. Our busy year will end with the reunion this year in Portsmouth on October 1st please let me know if you would like to attend but are unable to do so – we might be able to help. Will all members and associates please think of what you would like to do next year - venue, format, day of week, etc. Please email/telephone me so that we can put forward the ideas in the September newsletter for discussion at the AGM in October. I hope you all are enjoying the newsletters either by hard copy or email. It's our means of keeping in touch Left to Right: Ros & Bill with with each other so another plea - to family members reading this please contact me with any change of Karen & Jim address or circumstances. Alf Larkin had a telephone call from Andreas Schmidt who is a reporter working for NDR Television. He is working on a documentary project about the British flotilla which had orders to deter the Jewish refugees trying to emigrate to Palestine. He wishes to contact crew or their families who were on board Roland Tassel from Headington in Oxfordshire served on board the frigate 1966-68 he went from JR Ajax in 1947. I understand he has contacted a few of you (before I spoke to him on my return from holiday seaman, Ord Seaman to Able Seaman UC1 on Ajax. He lists Ganges, Raleigh, Vernon, Decoy, Ajax, at the beginning of May).On speaking to members on board Ajax at that time I know a few of you are Murray Vernon Hydra and Victory as his postings from 1965 to 1971. We hope to meet you at a future unhappy about opening old wounds and feel it could bring distress to those still alive. I had asked him to reunion Roland. do a short report for the newsletter outlining the objectives of the programme to make it easier for you to decide if you want to help. I have just received a reply stating he does not need to talk to anymore Ajax Happy Birthday to the following Members who have birthdays in this Newsletter period (March crew (is filming with one member) so hasn't written an article – hence my questions not answered. There to May) incl. is very little material in the archives about it. I was asked last Christmas if the Association had produced cards for the festive season. Please can you Glyn Seagrave Frigate 1975-77 58 on 6th March send me feedback whether I should follow this up for this year? Style, quality and quantity would be Terry Pearce Frigate 1975-77 also 58 on 6th March helpful. William Smail Cruiser 1943-44 91 on 8th March To all members, associates and their families who have been poorly over the winter and spring months we Dennis Talbot Cruiser 1947-48 85 on 14th March hope that your health improves along with the summer sun. Michael Fox Frigate 1973-78 63 on 14th March Judi Collis Hugh (Bing) Crosby Frigate 1976-77 77 on 18th March Membership Secretary Nick Ransley Frigate 1975-77 83-85 63 on 19th March Richard Dalziel Frigate 1965-66 72 on 30th March George Barlow Frigate 1965-66 69 on 31st March Michael Barclay Frigate 1975-77 58 on 8th April ARCHIVIST UPDATE June 2016 Leonard Porte Cruiser 1946-48 88 on 18th April IanDarbyshire Frigate 1976-78 60 on 19th April INFORMATION SOUGHT ON FORMER AJAX CREW MEMBERS David Humpage Frigate 1977-79 56 on 21st April A steady Newsletter period in terms of enquiries with quite a few coming in and the website having John Garrard Cruiser 1939-41 94 on 8th May had nearly 150,000 visitors since its creation. As always, I would be very pleased to receive Reg Baker Cruiser 1943-46 92 on 14th May information on the following: Nigel (Jan) Masters Frigate 1976-78 60 on 22ndMay 1day older than me RONALD A H PANTER Barry Clutton Frigate 1968-70 81 on 26th May Paul Tyrer is after information about his grandfather Ronald A H Panter who he believes was in Ajax Happy birthday to all our Associates, in addition to the above members and apologies to anyone not at some time. R A H Panter is listed as having served in Ajax at the time of The Battle of the River Plate mentioned in this or previous editions – to rectify this, please complete your update form and send to me, as an officer but I have no record of his rank. He was advised to obtain his service record from the the Membership Secretary MOD. There are lots of impressive dates here. Many congratulations to all of you and best wishes for a happy and healthy year ahead. STANLEY REGINALD KNIGHT Yvonne Samuel is after information about her father. The enquiry only gave his name as Knight but he SUBSCRIPTIONS was in Ajax at some stage before transferring to HMS Hood where he perished when she was sunk. A Many thanks to all of you who have sent subscriptions either to me or paid by electronic means by bank bit of digging on the Commonwealth War graves commission website at www.cwgc.org came up 20. 21.

WILKINSON Tom Procter (who also served in Ajax later in the Mediterranean) is seeking information about his cousin but only has his surname, Wilkinson, who he believes was in Ajax at the time of The Battle of the River Plate. Tom also sent this photo (Not sure when this was taken). The badge on the arm of his great coat is a six-pointed star with an O, C or G inside (a Goggle search on this becomes a bit of a mine field – can anyone enlighten me?). I have two Wilkinson's on the River Plate list; T.P.P. Wilkinson listed as an Officer and E.R. Wilkinson as a Rating but with no THOMAS SWAIN PETLEY further details. It was not clear if the cousin died in the War but a Keith Petley believes his deceased father Thomas Swain Petley was in Ajax during The Battle of the search on the war graves brought up one T Wilkinson as an River Plate and his mother, now also deceased had always thought he should have been given a medal. Officer (Lieutenant) who died on 14/2/1942 in battle with the I responded that 'As far as I am aware there was never a medal awarded for being present at the Battle Japanese and for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross and of the River Plate. I am not aware of the criteria but suspect that being the first major battle of the war five possibilities for E Wilkinson. the government were unsure how to approach this aspect and in any event it was just a single With just a surname to go on Tom will be struggling to find more information. engagement, of which many many more would occur over the next 6 years. There were of course individual awards of a variety of medals for gallantry to the officers and crew of the three ships that LESLIE MASON took part. John W Mason is researching his uncle, Leslie Mason. He was in Ajax prior to the War and during The Battle of the River Plate and he is after more information on him including his rank. On this JOHN MACEY information I had little to share but he did come back to me saying 'Thank you for your reply New member Andy Laker contacted me on behalf of a friend after information upon her father Marine regarding my uncle Leslie R Mason and attached is a newspaper cutting at the time and also a photo John Macey. He went from Chatham barracks straight to the Ajax on 23 Oct 1942 until 13 Oct 1944; of my uncle. I recall my father telling me how the crew were feted in New York (I have a picture of he then went to Fabrius as SBS 14 Oct 1944 to July 1945, then he was on HMS Suffolk escorting him at the Empire States Building). Also of his time in Bermuda and going through the Panama Australian prisoners of war home. Canal. Thank you for giving me the link to find out about his Service history, as he was on HMS York prior to joining the Ajax, and I have two nice serviette rings filched from the officer's mess! If you JOHN JOSEPH CATTERALL know of a museum or other interested party, I will gladly give them to them. I now live near Deborah Lamont-Catterall from Australia is seeking information on her father-in-law John Joseph Vancouver, but a few years ago visited the town of Ajax and found it most interesting, especially as Catterall's naval history. He was born in Chorley 1923 and died in 1991. He had told his daughter that the average North American knows nothing about the Battle of the Atlantic, and very little about the he had witnessed the sinking of the Graff Spee. The family do not know what ship he was on at the European theatre of war. time but assume it was the HMS Ajax as the Achilles was a NZ ship. Deborah is researching all avenues to correctly identify his NAAFI/CNS record of service and has sent to the National Archives Armed with this updated information I penned the following response, 'From the information you for this but came across our website. He left home aged 15yrs in 1938. The only other known ship give I would think he was on Ajax 2nd Commission January 38 to February 40, the 3rd Commission before the Services 1.8.1942 enlistment order from Churchill was HMS Dido from its commission July 40 to May 42 and the 4th Commission October 42 to March 43. Sept 1940, but unknown date when he left it. They know from his photo album and Campaign Stars, The 2nd one was the one that was in South America and at The River Plate. Ajax ended up in New Clasps and Medals that he was in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Burma and Pacific theatres. York in March 43 following extensive damage by bombing at Bone Algiers on 1st January 43. She I did not have him listed on the Ajax nor Achilles although she was a New Zealand ship, strictly was in New York until October 43. If he was on Ajax for three commissions that is an unusual length speaking she was still a British ship at the time of The Battle of the River Plate late 1939, assigned to of time as most crew moved on after one or two. The photograph shows Leslie bearing the arm band the New Zealand navy with mainly British officers with New Zealand ratings. She transferred to the of a sub-lieutenant - if you had a date you could work out if he was on Ajax then. The service record New Zealand Navy a little later. should reveal all. Deborah later replied 'Thank you for your prompt and thorough response to my query. John Joseph 22. 23. with four Knights who perished on the Hood on 24th May 1941: James Arthur Patrick; John; Roy Following this exchange John came back to update me 'I have solved some of the mystery. I found the Frederick; Stanley Reginald. photo of him at the Empire States Building and in very feint writing it has the date 1935. From a Yvonne came back and confirmed it was Stanley Reginald Knight and from that I was able to give her calendar that he sent home with a picture of HMS York on, he must have been on HMS York at that the following information. time. 'I can confirm that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records a Stanley Reginald Knight as having perished on HMS Hood the day she was sunk, 24th May 1941. His rank is shown as Joiner 4th Class; Service number P/MX 58038. He was aged 28 and his parents are recorded as Alfred and Catherine Knight and husband of Ethel Kathleen Knight, of Salisbury – your mother. His name is recorded on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 56 Column 3). If you visit www.cwgc.org and enter his details you can see this information and download a certificate.

Catterall was in the NAAFI at beginning of war, I understand he was a 16 year old civilian on the occasion of the Battle of the River Plate. I believe NAAFI employees were part of the NCS when in war zones though and had shipboard duties as well as their canteen duties. I have just received a copy of his Death Certificate today so can now apply to the UK MOD for his 1939-1942 service record. We already have his 1942-1946 record and other documents. He was de-mobbed in Australia, where all his family live. As his eldest daughter (now 70) is adamant her father told her he watched the Graf Spee sink, I can only trust this oral history and follow up on it as much as possible. You also kindly put my query in the next newsletter, surely there are no servicemen from the battle still alive today? If they are, they must be near the century mark. How wonderful they have lived such a long life! (I did update her on this point!)

CHARLES “CHARLIE” MORRIS Harry Bladen is researching his family tree and has been told Charles Morris from Ludlow Shropshire served in Ajax during the latter part of the war. He has very little information to go on. As with many enquiries where I have little to share I give the MOD service record route and include details on the “Do you Know” page on the website and make mention of them in the next Newsletter.

2016 Anniversaries 2016 sees two significant Ajax Cruiser 75th anniversaries; the Battle of Matapan on 28th March and The Battle for Crete 21st May and I am very grateful to Clive Sharplin for doing an article on Matapan in the last Newsletter and for Crete in this one. The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland is on 31st May. And of course we have the 40th anniversary of the frigate's visit to Canada in August.