Ajax March 2021.Pdf
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NEWSLETTER MARCH 2021 CONTENTS Committee Details Chairman’s Report Secretary’s Report PROPOSED MEMORIAL SERVICE NMA Membership Secretary’s Update Birthday Wishes Stephen Harwood Obituary William Parker Royal Marine Silver River Lodge Images from Richard Llewellyn Float Plane Identification Numbers – Bob Adams Commemorations Buenos Aires – 81st Anniversary River Plate Ajax Club Nova Scotia Ship's Model – HMS Ajax Geoffrey Haylett Update The Frigate Ajax 4th Commission (Part 1) – Ken Ward Spot Light on Member Albert Robb Archivist Update In Rough Seas 1935 - 48 1963 - 85 Nec Quisquam Nisi Ajax www.hmsajax.org 2. 3. I can only apologise for giving you mostly negative news but let's hope by the time of the next CHAIRMAN Nigel Masters issue of our Newsletter it will be much more positive. The Lookout It just remains for me to say on behalf of the Committee “Stay Safe”. Golden Cross Terrace Station Road, Swineshead Best Regards Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3LP Tel: 01205 820127 Nigel Masters Chairman Mobile: 07743 381153 [email protected] SECRETARY SECRETARY'S REPORT Peter Danks 104 Kelsey Avenue This has been a trying time for the country and I suspect that yourselves, like myself, were Southbourne, Emsworth delighted with the pathway delivered by Boris Johnson on 22nd February which meant 118 days Hampshire PO10 8NQ before life can possibly return to normal. Tel: 01243 371947 [email protected] Sadly we have seen three wonderful members cross the bar in recent time. Captain Stephen Harwood, whose guiding hand saw the establishment of the Memorial at the NMA and the MEMBERSHIP www.hmsajax.org SECRETARY success of the lunch on 13 December - both events in 2014. Richard Llewellyn and Ian Wright Paul Parker [email protected] were the other long standing members who crossed the bar. Richard was particularly involved in 8 Templecombe Road the D-Day activities when HMS AJAX played a key part. Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 8QL The Committee were delighted to be in touch with members during the last couple of months - Tel: 02380 693709 contact which I gather was much appreciated by those we were in touch with. If you didn't get a Mobile: 07962 080240 call and think you should have please make contact with any of the committee members. [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Hello to you all from a very wintry and snowy Boston, The Committee continue to meet via zoom; at our recent one we decided not to pursue arranging a TREASURER trip to Ajax in June and deferred to our April zoom meeting a decision on the October reunion. Ian Darbyshire Lincolnshire, with the whole country in Lockdown. I sincerely 28 Antony Road, Torpoint, hope you are getting through this extraordinary time as well as I hope that the vaccination has been received by all who were/are due it. Some of you may have Cornwall PL11 2JR you can. had your second jab bringing the prospect of a holiday and/or family reunion that much nearer. Tel: 01752 815789 [email protected] Have you had your vaccination? I am on the age cusp of “64” Keep well and safe and let us hope by summer we may be back to the "old normal" so will be in the next round, fingers crossed. ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ Peter Danks Secretary NEWSLETTER EDITOR Over Christmas our Committee carried out a “Phone-around” Malcolm Collis contacting older members of our Association to see how they The Bewicks, Station Road are coping during this strange time; the feedback from this Ten Mile Bank, Norfolk PE38 0EY MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO Tel: 01366 377945 was very positive. A few members could not be contacted, CROSSED THE BAR DURING THE PANDEMIC [email protected] either by phone or email - can I ask any of you who have changed your email, phone number or address to update your MERCHANDISE OFFICER Under normal circumstances one or more Association Committee Member and general details with Paul Parker, the Membership Secretary (his Members would make every effort to attend the funeral of those members who have Crossed Michael Fox details can be found on this page of the Newsletter). I would 6 Bown Hill the Bar. Southwell, Portland like to personally thank Malcolm Collis for taking over my During these difficult times Covid19 restrictions have meant it has not been possible to Dorset DT5 2ED section of contacts at short notice. attend the funerals of those who Crossed the Bar during the pandemic – see Tel: 01305 823436 [email protected] If any of you who would like a chat, please don't hesitate to https://www.hmsajax.org/obituaries for details. get in touch with one of us. The Committee held our bi- COMMITTEE MEMBER monthly Zoom meeting on February 10th; items on the agenda It is proposed that the Association holds a general Memorial Service for them at the National Alan (George/Phil) Phillips included our Reunion and the proposed trip to Canada. Memorial Arboretum possibly end of June beginning July depending upon Covid19 8 Orchard Way restrictions & NMA availability. Send Hill, Send, Surrey GU23 7HS Unfortunately with regards to Canada, at this time the Tel: 01483 223299 Canadian Government has shut its borders to everyone other [email protected] than essential travellers. So it is very unlikely that we will be Before starting organising such an event it would be most useful to know the likely support able to make the trip again this year. from Association Members and families before I approach the NMA. STANDARD BEARER I foresee a service at the River Plate Memorial with maybe an organised lunch, if allowed. Alf Larkin A final decision on this year's Reunion in Portland will be Stonecleave made at our next meeting in April: it was to be held in October Would you please email me [email protected] and indicate whether you would 26 Wakeham Portland but at this time nothing can be decided one way or the other Dorset DT5 1HN attend and likely numbers and also if you would like a formal luncheon. Any other Tel: 01305 457259 [Update – Boris' announcement on 22nd February may have a comments welcomed. [email protected] beneficial effect on this]. Thank you Malcolm Collis 2. 3. I can only apologise for giving you mostly negative news but let's hope by the time of the next CHAIRMAN Nigel Masters issue of our Newsletter it will be much more positive. The Lookout It just remains for me to say on behalf of the Committee “Stay Safe”. Golden Cross Terrace Station Road, Swineshead Best Regards Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3LP Tel: 01205 820127 Nigel Masters Chairman Mobile: 07743 381153 [email protected] SECRETARY SECRETARY'S REPORT Peter Danks 104 Kelsey Avenue This has been a trying time for the country and I suspect that yourselves, like myself, were Southbourne, Emsworth delighted with the pathway delivered by Boris Johnson on 22nd February which meant 118 days Hampshire PO10 8NQ before life can possibly return to normal. Tel: 01243 371947 [email protected] Sadly we have seen three wonderful members cross the bar in recent time. Captain Stephen Harwood, whose guiding hand saw the establishment of the Memorial at the NMA and the MEMBERSHIP www.hmsajax.org SECRETARY success of the lunch on 13 December - both events in 2014. Richard Llewellyn and Ian Wright Paul Parker [email protected] were the other long standing members who crossed the bar. Richard was particularly involved in 8 Templecombe Road the D-Day activities when HMS AJAX played a key part. Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 8QL The Committee were delighted to be in touch with members during the last couple of months - Tel: 02380 693709 contact which I gather was much appreciated by those we were in touch with. If you didn't get a Mobile: 07962 080240 call and think you should have please make contact with any of the committee members. [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Hello to you all from a very wintry and snowy Boston, The Committee continue to meet via zoom; at our recent one we decided not to pursue arranging a TREASURER trip to Ajax in June and deferred to our April zoom meeting a decision on the October reunion. Ian Darbyshire Lincolnshire, with the whole country in Lockdown. I sincerely 28 Antony Road, Torpoint, hope you are getting through this extraordinary time as well as I hope that the vaccination has been received by all who were/are due it. Some of you may have Cornwall PL11 2JR you can. had your second jab bringing the prospect of a holiday and/or family reunion that much nearer. Tel: 01752 815789 [email protected] Have you had your vaccination? I am on the age cusp of “64” Keep well and safe and let us hope by summer we may be back to the "old normal" so will be in the next round, fingers crossed. ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ Peter Danks Secretary NEWSLETTER EDITOR Over Christmas our Committee carried out a “Phone-around” Malcolm Collis contacting older members of our Association to see how they The Bewicks, Station Road are coping during this strange time; the feedback from this Ten Mile Bank, Norfolk PE38 0EY MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO Tel: 01366 377945 was very positive. A few members could not be contacted, CROSSED THE BAR DURING THE PANDEMIC [email protected] either by phone or email - can I ask any of you who have changed your email, phone number or address to update your MERCHANDISE OFFICER Under normal circumstances one or more Association Committee Member and general details with Paul Parker, the Membership Secretary (his Members would make every effort to attend the funeral of those members who have Crossed Michael Fox details can be found on this page of the Newsletter).