Ajax March 2021.Pdf

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.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT Cliff Pantrey 80 Michael Scully 63 CROSSED THE BAR Derek Wright 62 Sadly I have to report on three members that have crossed the bar since our last newsletter. This I have not included the years served on the ships as there are several members who have not is the first time since May last year that I have had to report on veterans having crossed the bar. submitted their details. If I have missed your birthday please let me know.

Ian Wright who served on the cruiser 1944-1947 sadly CTB on 28th January. He was 92 and SUBSCRIPTIONS lived in West Sussex. Ian was at one time LSA victualling in Ajax and also was involved in the The Association's financial year runs from 1st September to the 31st August. You may wonder repatriation of German sailors from South America after the war. why I mention this. There may be some confusion on when subscriptions are due. Wright Crescent in Ajax is named in his honour. Your annual Subs should be paid each year between the 1st September and the 31st August, depending on when you joined the association. Richard Llewellyn who served on the cruiser 1943-1944 sadly CTB on the 9th February at the Can I ask that members check to see that they have paid or have set up a payment during this age of 95. He lived in The Wirral. He was present in Ajax at the time of the D Day landings as an period each year. 18 year old midshipman. He firstly served in The easiest way to do this is by PayPal through the Website or setting up a Standing HMS Howe, then Ajax followed by HMS Order through your bank. The Association's bank details are listed below. Easton & Cooke. He was ex-Pangbourne. Our Treasurer has asked that when making payments by standing order you quote subs as the Richard was heavily involved in The D-Day reference. Revisited project and has been subject to a Please feel free to contact me should you have any query on your subs. number of Newsletter articles. His funeral was held on Saturday 27th Annual subscriptions remain the same, £12 for individuals and £18 for families. February and Peter Danks & Malcolm Collis Subscriptions can be paid using the Subscribe button on the joining page on our website, you can represented the Association through the live do it when you join or as an existing member. Future payments are taken out on that anniversary streaming event. and we are notified by PayPal that the payment has been made. Bank Transfers or Standing Orders can be set up using the details below: BANK DETAILS: HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Association (RPVA) ACCOUNT NUMBER: 24865868 SORT CODE 30-99-56 Richard (centre) and Elly at one of the D-Day projects CHEQUES payable to HMS Ajax & RPVA and sent to: Stephen Harwood son of Admiral Harwood CTB 17th February. See separate obituary. PAUL PARKER (MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY) NEW MEMBERS 8 Templecombe Road, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 8QL Tel 02380 693709 We welcome Alistair Allan who joins us after making contact with Ajax as he had been part of [email protected] the crew that visited in 1976 although he wasn't on the Town's crew list. Alistair joined up October 1972 and transferred to Ajax in January 1975 as a JMEM1 until May 1977 leaving as an I am pleased to say that memberships are generally being kept up to date. Please do check that ALMEM to join HMS Bulwark. He lives in Brighton. yours has been paid for the current year. There are some members who have fallen behind with payments, I will be contacting you individually by e mail in order to bring payments up to date. Birthdays Happy Birthday to the following crew members who had birthdays in this Newsletter During this Pandemic committee members have been ringing round members to make sure Period (Dec-Feb) everyone is okay and being looked after. However, there have been one or two members where we have been unable to contact by phone or e mail. I shall be writing to these members in the hope HMS EXETER that their contact address is still current, to update their contact details but this does show the Basil Trott 101 importance of making sure that you let me know of any changes to your contact details as they occur. Paul Parker Membership Secretary FRIGATE Paul Byrne 69 Ray Dowsett 79 BIRTHDAY WISHES Douglas Hadler 83 Alf Larkin sent in the following report: Nigel Harcourt 75 Michael Harte 80 I have today, 5th December 2020, sent Birthday wishes to Lt Cdr. Bernard Cooper R.N. Retd David Lear 62 using a 2019 anniversary photo of the 4 ships at River Plate. I saw a message on one of the ex R.N. Facebook sites asking for messages to be sent to him at a Nursing Home where he will Clive Morris 74 celebrate his 102 Birthday next week. He joined as a Boy Seaman and ended up Lt Cdr and saw Scot Morrison 63 action against the Japanese in WW2. Tommy Murray 64 Nice touch Alf, well done. 4. 5.

OBITUARY: CAPTAIN STEPHEN HARWOOD RN (1931-2021) which there were regular journeys to the ranges at Kyle of Lochalsh in northern Scotland. As well as a stint on the Admiralty Interview Board, selecting future Naval Officers and time spent on Jonathan Harwood writes: With his father's illustrious background and his brother Henry a Fleet Maintenance at Bath, for the family the most enjoyable appointment was two years at serving wartime naval officer, it was only natural that Stephen BRNC Dartmouth where he was the University Training Commander. For us children, living at Harwood would also join the Royal Navy. With his eyesight not Dartmouth was idyllic. We all played at several sports, learnt to sail and ride horses and followed meeting the requirements to becoming a Seaman Officer, his father the Britannia Beagles. For my parents there was an active social life, all in a beautiful part of advised him to join the newly formed Engineering Branch. Devon. Therefore, although his brother Henry had entered Dartmouth aged 13, changes due to the war meant that Stephen instead went to In 1981 Stephen retired from the Navy, having been recruited by a friend and former RN officer Ampleforth College in Yorkshire and subsequently combined to act as an Executive in John Brown; the same company that used to build ships but had since studying for a degree in Engineering at Cambridge University with switched to building oil rigs and gas pipelines from the Soviet Union across to Europe. After officer training in Benbow Division at Dartmouth. retirement in 1993 Stephen devoted time to countryside issues, becoming Chairman of his local branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England. With his brother Henry, much time Back in 1939 Stephen's father, Commodore Henry Harwood (later was devoted to gathering family history and collating their father's official papers. These were Admiral Sir Henry) had commanded the British forces at the Battle of donated to the Imperial War Museum for the benefit of future historians. In 2014 Henry and the River Plate with his flag in HMS Ajax fighting alongside HMS Stephen published “Harwood and the Battle of the River Plate” (updated by Jonathan Harwood in Lieutenant Stephen Harwood in Exeter and the New Zealand-crewed HMS Achilles. Subsequently, 2019), a book of personal reminiscences and photographs combined with other witness accounts the 1950s from 1942 to 1943 he served as C in C Mediterranean, going on to of the Battle of the River Plate and Admiral Harwood's life. Originally intended for family command Naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean. However ill distribution, this book has gone on to be enjoyed by many interested in the River Plate and Graf health forced him to take a year's sick leave before he was appointed Admiral commanding Spee story. Henry sadly died in 2017 but in 2018 Stephen provided extensive material and advice Orkney and Shetland (ACOS) 1944-45, based at Lyness Naval Base on Hoy. After several years to Peter Hore who wrote their father's biography, “Henry Harwood, Hero of the River Plate”. when Naval and then wartime service had kept father and son apart, for Stephen this was a very special period when he was able to spend time with his father while on school holidays in a In 2014, while a committee member of the HMS beautiful part of Britain. After that, during his father's retirement in Berkshire, Stephen and his Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association, father shared their enthusiasms for golf and fly fishing. Sadly, Henry Harwood's health Stephen was part of the team that designed and deteriorated and he died in 1950 while Stephen was a Royal Navy cadet training at sea. commissioned the granite memorial to The Battle of the River Plate at the National In 1956 Stephen was invited to attend the Premiere of the film, “The Battle of the River Plate” at the Odeon, Leicester Square in London. Not having a guest to take, the wife of an old school friend arranged for her friend Julia to accompany Stephen on this blind date. Stephen and Julia never looked back and were married in 1957 and had four children: Kate, Christopher, Jonathan and Anthony. Compared with his father's and brother's careers, serving in the Engineering Branch of the peacetime Royal Navy was always going to be a very different experience. For Stephen's family, The Harwood gathering NMA 2014 – Stephen & Julia Harwood appointments that were principally shore-based allowed him to take a greater part in his second and third left of centre children's lives. Of course, there were several sea-going appointments spread throughout his career: as a Lieutenant in the Memorial Arboretum and later the same year aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal in the early helped organise the 75th anniversary of the 1960s and as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Battle of the River Plate with a celebratory Leander-class Frigate HMS Naiad in the late luncheon in Southsea. He also laid the Stephen Harwood at NMA Luncheon 2014 1960s. In the mid 1970's as a Commander Association's wreath at the NMA Memorial in he was back in HMS Ark Royal as Weapons 2019 for the D-Day 75th Anniversary HMS Naiad in the 1960s and Electrical Officer. Although this Commemorations. appointment coincided with the BBC fly-on- Apart from regular annual trips to Orkney the-wall documentary series, 'Sailor', Stephen was absent during most of the filming after and other parts of Scotland, Julia and sustaining a serious accident when the ship was a couple of days out of Devonport. The Stephen took life a bit more quietly in the counterbalance had been badly set on a heavy sea hatch with the result that when he closed it past few years. Stephen's health deteriorated after he had descended through it, the heavy hatch came down, trapping him and breaking bones in the second half of 2020 but with care in both hands. Flown off the ship to RAF St Mawgan, his fractured hands were repaired in from his family he was able to remain at Plymouth. After a convalescence lasting some months, he returned to his ship having made a full home until just before he died on 19th recovery. February 2021.

My father's shore-based appointments focused on the development of new weapon systems, notably based at the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE) near Southwick as part of the team behind the development of the Seawolf missile and as a Captain at the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE) in Portland developing the Stingray torpedo for Stephen Harwood laying Association wreath at River Plate Memorial NMA - D-Day 2019

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WILLIAM PARKER ROYAL MARINE IMAGES FROM RICHARD LLEWELLYN

In the December Newsletter there was an article entitled '1946 Images of HMS Ajax' which Before he Crossed the Bar Richard Llewellyn sent in these images. included a group shot with William Parker in it, as spotted by daughter Val Panter. Val sent in more information on her dad:

William Parker - Service number PO/X 107974 He enlisted in the Royal Marines on 16th August 1941 at Lympstone. He then volunteered for Signals training and went to Portsmouth where he was then based. He went to training school in Saundersfoot and gained his First Class Signals award there. (to this day he still remembers Morse code). He then spent time in various parts of the UK as part of Combined Operations Command (including beach landing training in Scotland where he had his 21st birthday). June 1944 he was posted to The eruption of Mount Vesuvius the with Ajax in the shot would be of Mediterran the March 1944 eruption and Ajax ean, first to would have been in the area: 22/3/44 Malta, then Left Malta & arrived Naples Sicily and 23/3/44: April 1944 Fire support Italy. (ever duties at Anzio: 08/4/44 Left Naples heard the en route for Alex. arriving on song about 10/4/44. the D Day Barakka Gardens Valletta Armistice Day 1945 Dodgers? My brother St Pauls Bay Malta 2nd row 2nd from left in law used to tease him about that) Then he was sent back to Malta and was due to go to the Far East but was posted in HMS Ajax to replace a sick signaller. He sailed to Naples and on to Istanbul with the Regent of Iraq on board. Ajax then went to Crete and back to Malta for a refit. Then it was off to South America and Ajax escorted the Highland Monarch back to Germany. He then returned to Portsmouth and was demobbed in June 1946. I've attached a couple of photos taken in Malta. He was very easy to spot in the Facebook photo the other day as he was very tanned. Val emailed me recently to say, amongst other things, that dad was looking forward to his Queen's telegram in July – hope he is able to have a huge party by then.

SILVER RIVER LODGE MONTEVIDEO In the December Newsletter it was reported the Silver River Lodge in Montevideo that we visited had been broken into. George Stewart sent a photograph to show that three of the items we presented (bottom left) were intact. He did say “Probably didn't think they were worth anything but the stuff they took was Masonic …” think I know what he means! 8. 9.

WILLIAM PARKER ROYAL MARINE IMAGES FROM RICHARD LLEWELLYN

FLOAT PLANE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS – By Bob Adams HMS Exeter 1934 Fairey 111F x2 The HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Osprey 407…. …”Catapult Aircraft” Marriott p13 Pen & Sword. Association has identified only some of the planes 1936 Walrus 769 K8343 embarked on the River Plate ships. 1936 Walrus 769 K8560 There may be two numbers seen on each aircraft. Walrus 718 Marriott text p18 A Serial Registration and a Squadron Number. For 1936 Walrus 780 Marriott photo p18 Is this the same K8341? example, HMS Exeter's Walrus had K8343 on tail 1936 Walrus 780 K8341 fin and side with 769 on the nose. 193? Walrus 783 K.

Serial Registration Number. All UK military HMS Achilles aircraft were allocated and displayed a unique 1927-35 ?Osprey or Fairey iii registration number. 1937 Walrus Z2 K5743 After every flight, a military pilot must record the Walrus Z1 K5774 registration number of the aircraft flown, along with any other particulars, such as aircraft type, Both Walrus' lost 1938/39. How? flight duration, purpose of flight, thus giving a complete record of the individual aircraft. The registration numbers are allocated to the aircraft manufacturer at the time the contract for HMS Cumberland supply is placed. 1932 Fairey Flycatcher 403….. Marriott p3 1935 Osprey 1 to 10000. This first series of numbers ran from 1 1939 Walrus x3 to 10000 with blocks allocated to each service. A1 to Z9999. The second series started an alpha- KM Graf Spee numeric system from A1 to A9999 then started 1937 Heinkel He60 Spithead review again at B1. The letters A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and J 1939 Arado 196A x 2. Non-operational at Battle. Jettisoned in Montevideo were allocated to the Royal Flying Corps, and N1 to N9999 and S1 to S9999 to the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). HMS Leander HMS Orion HMS Neptune K1000 onwards. The third series started at K1000 1934 Osprey 201 K2775 Marriott Photo Seafox Seafox instead of K1 for all subsequent letters. AA100 to ZZ999. The fourth series starting in Seafox Walrus Walrus 1940, uses a two-letter prefix, starting at AA100. Walrus. Z2. Seawings

Squadron Number. In 1939 Royal Naval Air Service had 20 Squadrons and 232 aircraft each Prior to the above submission Bob had sent this in: numbered in a 700-series. The New Zealand TECHNICAL DISCUSSION Squadrons including HM(NZ)S Achilles used “Bob Adams expected contradiction after his article on float planes [September 2020 Newsletter] prefix Z. but got none. If he and Editor Malcolm had included this banter in his original draft, would he Aircraft carriers, such as HMS Ark Royal with 72 have got some criticism? aircraft, used the 800 series. Bob “The Walrus windscreen looks as if it has been rescued out of an old bay window and a garden cold frame” German Identification. A German military Malcolm replied, “If you're going to fit the best fit Everest” aircraft was given a four-letter identification which was also its radio code and stayed with the aircraft throughout its entire existence. Few displayed the identification. No identification of Graf Spee Arado's found.

Bob and/or archivist Malcolm would appreciate any further data on the float planes carried on the Cruisers. Date/Type/ Squadron Number/Serial Registration Number etc.

HMS Ajax 1935 Osprey with wheels D81 K3638. Ajax was only used as launch platform and the Osprey returned to dry land. Based in Alexandria. Later fitted with floats. 1936 Osprey with twin floats. x1 or x2? K3638 + K354? 1936 Queen Bee drone. Ajax used as launch platform for shooting practice at the drone. If not shot down it was landed and launched again. Alexandria 1938 Seafox x 2 718 K8591 and 718 K8582. Only one was operational at the Plate Battle. Was the only plane in the Battle and in the days after. 10. 11.

Bob and/or archivist Malcolm would appreciate any further data on the float planes carried on the Cruisers. Date/Type/ Squadron Number/Serial Registration Number etc.

COMMEMORATIONS BUENOS AIRES FOR 81st RIVER PLATE Then, we went to the British cemetery, where Karin Langemeyr and Belen Dick, on behalf of the ANNIVERSARY Graf Spee Association, offer flowers on the grave of Able Seaman J.T. Frederick from HMS Exeter laid down We finally ended up in the German cemetery where a snack was held and Our dear friend Enrique sent through a report on commemorations and greetings – “All souvenirs (books) were offered to guests. our best wishes and a very Happy Year 2021, to our entire friends from the HMS Ajax Veterans Association.” He also said, “You might be wondering why we weren't at the German Club for lunch. Well, three weeks ago the gas workers shut it down because of serious gas leaks in the kitchens. Hence the snack, which was just a glass of champagne toast and a couple of rolls.” (unlike our sumptuous 2019 meal!)

REPORT: ANNUAL MEETING OF GRAF SPEE VETERANS ASSOCIATION IN ARGENTINA – 2020 By Maj Gen Enrique R. Dick, PhD

We met on Sunday December 20th 2020, a sunny day, windy but not hot, luckily. This time, for the sake of protocol (virus) in front of the memorial, we focused on those who fell in wars. We were joined by the Ambassador of Great Britain, Mark Kent, and the Minister Dr. Ralf Horlemann, responsible for the economic affairs of the German embassy, the Defense Attaché of Great Britain, Group Captain Michael Lavender OBE, RAF and the deputy of the German Defense Attaché, staff officer Christina Winkler. From the side of the Spee family, the widow of the sailor Hofmann, Benedicta, the children of the crew members Enrique Dick, Ernesto Fricke, AJAX CLUB NOVA SCOTIA Federico Jakobs and Guillermo Bräutigam as well as Belén and Mariela, Just a couple of updates from Jay White PhD in Canada regarding the on-going saga of the Ajax granddaughters of sailors, were also Club in Nova Scotia which started with an enquiry about tracing any “Guest Books” present. With us, the relatives and friends of the Spee Association, about 35 people “It seems the National Archives in Ottawa may have the participated in the ceremony. To give this Ajax Club guest books that you initially inquired about. celebration the right musical setting, two Unfortunately visual inspection of archival records isn't ladies played flutes while the Scots possible at the moment (Covid restrictions), but I'm sure Guards gave their notes with the you will find this welcome news. Mr. Cross also recently bagpipes. sent along a photo of an HMS Ajax ship's crest – very likely the one referenced in the attached 1943 newspaper The message of Nedden-Langsdorff family was read in full, we heard words from Ambassador article. The mahogany backing is missing a piece, Mark Kent and I said the last words: however the crest itself appears to be in good condition. I never miss the opportunity to stand in front of the grave that Langsdorff's resting place The crest is part of a collection donated by Mrs. McEuen suggests, and I meditate: “Captain Hans Langsdorff, thank you. We will never forget you and one shortly after the war. McGill is gathering all available day your qualities as a seaman and a gentleman will information about the crests, mostly RN & DEMS, with receive the widespread recognition they deserve”. a view to mounting an online exhibit about them. However, one thing we can be sure of: the lives that left that day 81 years ago were not lost in vain. After all, you The second point directly refers to the purpose of the are the reason why we are here today as friends from all “Guest Book” over the world. In the Club's Chairman's Report (Janet McEuen), mention is made Then we heard the minute of silence to honour those who of “… Add to this the complicated business, in the unbelievable had perished in all wars without exception, and finally we state of congestion with smoke and talking, of getting the guest sang "I had a comrade". From there we moved in a column book signed! A very careful record must be kept of these men's of one person and kept our distance from the graves where movements, coming as they do from not one but several ships. Captain Hans Langsdorff and four members of his crew This record protects our guarantee to Commanding Officers that rest. We place wreaths and bouquets of flowers. The their men can be recalled, if necessary, at four to six hours' notice; bouquet of the Nedden-Langsdorff family was laid by Staff we sometimes have as many as 180 out on rest leave …” Officer Winkler and Guillermo Bräutigam and the flowers of the Graf Spee Association were given by Ernesto Fricke This explains the function of the books as not just being a “visitors” book. and Federico Jacobs. We also placed bouquets of flowers I also note that during 1944, 25000+ visited! at the graves of Captain Hepe and Corporal Karl Fengler. Malcolm Collis 12. 13.

REPORT: ANNUAL MEETING OF GRAF SPEE VETERANS ASSOCIATION IN ARGENTINA – 2020 By Maj Gen Enrique R. Dick, PhD

SHIP'S MODEL – HMS AJAX GEOFFREY HAYLETT LATEST I received the following enquiry from someone living in Tillsonburg, south west Ontario, about 100 miles from Toronto, “I am building a fine scale model of HMS Ajax, as she was prior to the Mike Cranswick has sent in the latest update in his quest to unravel the story of Geoffrey Haylett, River Plate action. A lady in the town of Ajax suggested I contact you. Possibly some of your a former HMS Exeter crewman and schoolmaster at Mike's old school, Trinity House. members would have photographs of the ship and would let me have copies.” This led to several further exchanges regarding various detailed points. In one I mentioned On “I have come across two documents that I'm sure will be of completion of refit at Chatham on 28/7/40: fitted with zarabas to the 4in guns and two tripod interest. I managed to trace and make contact with a couple masts with Type 79 air warning radar at the mastheads. who knew Geoffrey Haylett very well, they are relatives (niece/nephew) of AB Harry Spencer who was killed at the I had seen the term zarabas before but didn't actually know what it meant and my faithful Google Battle on Exeter. I had discovered earlier in my research that on this occasion let me down so I put out an email to members for answers. The Gold Star went Harry Spencer hailed from Altofts, the next village to to Mike Harte who replied, “Zarebas are breakwater structures welded to the deck intended to Whitwood where Haylett originated from. After the battle, deflect sea water away from exposed fittings liked manned gun turrets”. Mike had spelt it Haylett became a good friend to the family of Harry correctly with an 'e' and my Google preferred that and also suggested the root was a Sudanese Spencer. word for a thorny stockade fence! In amongst the many emails between us I asked the following, “What will you do with the model Two documents that the family supplied me with are firstly once finished, do you exhibit anywhere? I have an idea if you did want it on display.” to which a press cutting which from an educated guess would appear he replied, “I think I am well ahead of you as to a final destination of my current project. When I to be from the Pontefract and Castleford Express or some kick the bucket it could go to Ajax town hall. Till then it'll join the rest of my almost maritime variant of it. museum upstairs …” The second is a Falklands Islands News circular dated 18th January 1940 which I found quite fascinating (Editor – My latest query from him is contact me if you would like to view this 12 page –“Among your pics was a publication) beaut taken, from the bridge I Interestingly, this document has the name Ada Jennings guess, of the foc'sle in the handwritten at the bottom. Ada was a young girl who helped Panama Canal. It shows the run the store/post office at Stanley and she had met the deck as being either steel or young Harry Spencer during ship visits there before the more likely corticene, probably Battle. She also became a good friend to the family of dark grey with a greenish tinge. Harry, particularly Harry's mum and over the years visited In all your info, do you have the family in the UK. the answer to that one?” Not having a clue I said I would ask those that would maybe know – so if anyone can help please contact me.

Geoffrey Haylett's last surviving sibling, sister, Joan died a few years ago. The relatives of Harry Spencer that I'm in touch with have spoken with me about Geoff Haylett and that he rarely spoke about his war service and in particular the Battle. This is how those at Trinity House remember him.

Mike Cranswick Ken Jones’ model at The Historical Dockyard Chatham

Malcolm Collis 14. 15.

Mike Cranswick Ken Jones’ model at The Historical Dockyard Chatham

Malcolm Collis 16. 17.

THE FRIGATE “AJAX” onboard. No doubt some readers will have experienced this phenomenon! We sailed from Portsmouth for Singapore (eventually!) in mid-December, our first stop The Fourth Commission - By Ken (Sharkey) Ward being Santa Cruz, in Tenerife. As we were to be at sea for both Christmas and New Year, many L.M.(E) HMS Ajax: April 1968 — October 1970 chose this short stay to celebrate in advance. Back at sea, heading south, on Christmas Eve, we PART ONE held a "Sods Opera" on the flight deck. The stokers mess contribution was our adaptation of that well known fairytale which we entitled "Stokerella". Our ships cox'n or head policeman, one Jack I joined HMS Ajax at Chatham on 1st April 1968, Rawlings, was in charge of applying the make-up, a role he wasn't really type cast for! We duly thinking, "is this the best day to join?" A lot of the ship's hung up our Xmas stockings on the boiler front, but, as we couldn't shut down the boilers, poor company joined that day, trickle drafting hadn't yet been Santa couldn't get down our chimney!! invented. I was an ME1 at the time, but shortly afterwards I On Boxing Day, we "crossed the line" (I still have the certificate), an event that was was rated A/LME, usually referred to as a "Killick Stoker". We accompanied by the traditional activities, including the rigging of a canvas "ducking pool" on the were accommodated in the R.N. Barracks, HMS Pembroke, flight deck. We saw in the New Year whilst still at sea, arriving in Simonstown, South Africa in whilst the ship was in a short refit. We were ferried to and from early January 1969. The Suez Canal was closed at this time following the Arab/Israeli war, hence the Ajax in ex-London transport buses, which looked quite the "long way round" route. smart in Navy Blue livery. Our commanding officer was For the naval historian, Simonstown was an important R.N. base until the mid-1960's, Captain David Hepworth, which meant we were to be a when it was handed back to the South African Navy. Prior to its demise, one frigate was based squadron leader. there as the sole representative of the South African and South American (S.A.+S.A.) station. Nearby Cape Town was a great run ashore and the main railway station would be liberally dotted Around the end of July 1968 we re-commissioned as with "Jolly Jack" resting whilst awaiting the early morning train back to Simonstown. Care had to many of you will recall, the ceremony was preceded in time- be taken to ensure that you were in the correct compartment, entering the "non-white" section honoured fashion, by much scrubbing painting and polishing. inadvertently resulted in being "turfed out" by the guard. Post-apartheid, that situation no longer arises in South Africa. There were also some excellent beaches with views across to Table September 2018 – Over 50 years after My particular memory of this was concerning our coal-fired joining ‘Ajax’ (F114), 3 ‘killick stokers’ "donkey boiler", generously provided by the dockyard to Mountain. meet up again in Great Yarmouth. Left to provide steam for domestic purposes. This vintage piece of We left Simonstown somewhat reluctantly, as we knew what was next on the agenda, the Right: Ken ‘Sharky’ Ward, Tom ‘Bud’ equipment was situated on the jetty adjacent to the fo'c'sle, Beira patrol. As may be recalled, Rhodesia had declared its unilateral independence (U.D.I.) and Flanagan, Roger ‘Desperate’ Dann which had been repainted the day before the aforementioned subsequently the R.N. was ordered to blockade the Mozambique port of Beira, Rhodesia's main ceremony. An unorthodox method often employed to clear soot route for imports. This mainly consisted of cruising the Indian Ocean off Beira, stopping and from the boiler tubes being to slam the smokebox door shut inspecting shipping. In between, it could be rather boring - and hot! To relieve the monotony, vigorously a few times; this had the effect of dislodging the soot which then went up the ships on the patrol would contest for the "Beira Bucket". As its name suggests, this consisted of a "chimney". This method was considerably quicker and easier than using the very heavy tube humble "Dhoby" bucket, adorned with the names of participating ships. As I recall, the principal brush. Unfortunately, the wind carried the dislodged soot onto the gleaming fo'c'sle. "Jimmy the game played being deck hockey, which was hotly contested - broken teeth were not unknown! One" and the "Buffer" weren't impressed! Several stokers were hastily dispatched to restore the Another pastime was fishing. As to conserve fuel main engines would be stopped and the ship pointed end to its former glory, I know, I was the donkey boiler watchkeeper that morning! allowed to drift. Sharks would be attracted by tipping a small amount of the old style fire-fighting After all the usual trials and tribulations of foam overboard (against regulations) and a few large hooks deployed to catch them. This liquid getting everything "flashed up" and "burning and was made up from offal and blood from slaughter houses, hence the interest shown. I never turning" we proceeded to sea for trials and witnessed a shark being caught in this manner, but it provided some entertainment. "shakedown". I should point out that at this time, Ajax After about 4 to 5 weeks of mostly boredom we were finally relieved and headed for was still in her "as built condition", twin 4.5" gun Singapore. We called in at Gan, an R.A.F staging post in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Gan's mounting for'd, two single Bofors where the "Seacat" main claim to fame was one female on the island, this was a lady of more mature years who was missiles should have been, A/S Mortars aft and a "something to do with the NAAFI". The reason for our visit was to take on fuel from the tanker "Wasp" A/S helicopter. This meant that the Seacat permanently moored in the lagoon. A quick "look ashore" was permitted to both watches to magazine was surplus to requirements, so was used by stretch legs and visit the NAAFI club. I do remember that the "killick" in charge of the jetty the NAAFI as a beer store, conveniently situated patrol, a somewhat pompous individual, ended up in the "oggin" after being pushed from behind below the stokers mess. by an "admirer". This incident confirmed that pussers whistles don't work once they have been After several weeks of trials, we proceeded to submerged! About three days later we arrived at Singapore Naval Base. My first impression was Portland for our six week work-up, prior to our Far how few warships were berthed there compared with my previous visit, which was in 1964/5 at East deployment. This was hard work, but by way of the height of the Indonesian confrontation, (the word "war" wasn't in fashion with the government relief I celebrated my 21st birthday during this period. at the time). The majority of the base was already in civilian hands, under the auspices of This was a very successful run ashore, so much so that Sembawang Shipyards, an indication of the ongoing reduction of British influence East of Suez. my messmates were obliged to conceal me from the The Naval element was now confined to the stores basin area at the far end of the base. However, shore patrol under a convenient railway bridge. HMS some things hadn't changed too much, the "Armada" and "Britannia" clubs, Tiger Balm Gardens, "Osprey" was used for Regulators (crushers) Bugis street, Nee Soon and so on. continuation training, so ships companies of vessels at Exercises with S.E.A.T.O. (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) ensued, on completion of Portland were considered fair game to practice on poor which the obligatory "banyan" weekend anchored off the island of Palau Tioman with other innocent matelots whose only crime was to perhaps to participating ships. It was here that I unfortunately stood on a Sea-Urchin which was very painful, suffer a "steering gear failure" whilst returning back 18. 19. which made me submerge my 'posh' camera, they don't like salt water! SPOT LIGHT ON MEMBER ALBERT ROBB I believe the next "event" was a trip to Western Australia in company with the carrier Hermes and other escorts. My brother was serving on her at the time, so we did manage to get the In June 2019 new recruit Albert Edward Robb joined the odd run ashore together, but not in "Oz" as the various ships visited different ports. Hermes went Association, a 100th birthday gift from his daughter Paula. to Freemantle, Ajax to Bunbury on the South West corner of W.A., a mining town if my memory There can't be many organisations that can boast having a serves me right. We were treated to the traditional "Aussie" hospitality - no it's not true that they centenarian new member! He will be 103 on 13th September. all hate "Poms"! As you will know if you've been "down under", they like their beer very cold - His granddaughter Viona has just sent through archive so if you don't want stomach ache, the best procedure is to buy a pitcher (jug) of Swan lager in material some of which I share here. A transcript of his Ajax advance of your "shout" so allowing it to warm up a bit so at least you can taste it. As with all memoirs can be found on our website on this page - these "show the flag" visits there were the usual sport and social events. We had a passable soccer https://www.hmsajax.org/subsequent-commissions team but I can't remember any results. Another tradition was to host a party onboard for the local under-privileged children. This Albert served in Ajax from 19/03/1940 to 22/11/1941. Official consisted of dressing up in pirate rig, a film show, "tea and stickies", party games, etc., however, No: c/SR 16343, Ajax rating Petty Officer (Ordnance on this occasion we also rigged up a "walking the plank" demonstration to enhance the pirate Artificer). Left Ajax in Alexandria for a UK Draft then called theme. I borrowed a sheath knife from a mess mate to hold between my teeth for extra effect, but in to New York & brought over the first American troops after when I hit the water it became dislodged and sank to the bottom. The owner was rather upset Pearl Harbour, arriving UK Feb 1942. about this, so I had to pay compensation in the form of "gulpers", this was on top of a similar payment to one of the ship's divers who had attempted to find it! Even in the very clear water it After foreign service leave, drafted to hunt class destroyer was never found. HMS Meynell on 6th March 1942; convoy duties in home Another "highlight" of this visit was the wardroom cocktail party (I wasn't invited). It was waters for 3½ unusual in that the guests were transported to the ship by a vintage steam train along the jetty, this years which has stayed in my memory as I must confess to being a bit of a steam train "crank". included arctic Following this visit we rejoined Hermes and other escorts and headed back to Singapore convoys to Russia until coming south to take part in via the Sunda Strait. After, a short spell alongside we conducted exercises with other elements of Normandy landings on D-Day. Constant convoys to the Far East fleet and our R.A.N. and R.N.Z.N. allies in the Singapore areas. Around this time we France followed until France was cleared of were ordered "best speed" to the scene of a collision in the South China Sea. A U.S. navy Germans; after that, convoys to Antwerp. He was destroyer, the USS Frank E. Evans, had been cut in half by the Australian carrier Melbourne on made Chief Petty Officer on 11/12/1942 and 3rd June 1969. This was the second ship to suffer the same fate, the first being HMAS Voyager in finished with the Navy 18/12/1945. He has 13 February 1964. Tragically, quite a few crew members [74] went down with the fore section of the decorations, all government issued: 7 UK, 3 ship when it sank, leaving the after section still afloat. I can remember the "cut" was very clean, Russian, 1 Malta, 1 Greek and 1 French. The as if by a knife and the different decks and compartments could be clearly seen. The tragedy Russian one being the Ushakov Medal*, one of happened when the destroyer, acting as "plane guard" turned across the Melbourne's bows in the Russia's highest naval awards. The French one dark and was struck amidships. Needless to say, damage to the carrier's bows was minimal. The being Appointment Chevalier of the order national destroyer's remaining section was towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines, where a memorial de la legion of honour which is France's highest service was held for those who were lost. In fact, Subic Bay was our next port of call on order of merit which, as he says, makes him a completion of the exercises and we saw the remaining after section in a floating dock. knight. He was mentioned in despatches whilst in On a lighter note, those of you who have been to Subic Bay (now closed) may recall that the Arctic. A copy of his memoirs are in the Albert proudly displays his medals once you have traversed the immaculate Naval base with all its riverside facilities, you crossed Admiralty archives. over a bridge into the town of Olongopo - what a cultural change! It was built on 'frontier town' lines complete with dirt streets and wooden sidewalks. It consisted mainly of bars, gambling dens, so called restaurants and "massage parlours". It was recommended you stay together in *The medal is named after Fyodor groups as robbery was quite common. The U.S. Naval Shore Patrols usually left "jolly jack" Ushakov, an 18th Century naval alone, preferring to prey on their own enlisted men. Another unsavoury activity there was the sale commander who never lost a battle and of live chicks to feed to the alligators in the river! is the patron saint of the Russian navy. We then headed north to Japan, first stop was Yokosuka, another U.S. Naval base. I was It was created in 1944 and is awarded "lucky" enough to be shore patrol whilst there, a U.S. Navy Chief was in charge and was quite to veterans "for personal courage and taken aback when we suggested having a quiet "wet" whilst visiting various bars, needless to say valour shown during World War Two his reply was in the negative! We next visited Muroran, a medium sized port and I recall going on while participating in the Arctic a coach trip to various temples, shrines and other places of interest. Convoys"

Ken 'Sharky' Ward … PART 2 to be concluded in the June 2021 Edition Also available on website here - https://www.hmsajax.org/archive-ajax-frigate

Albert's Ushakov Medal

18. 19. which made me submerge my 'posh' camera, they don't like salt water! SPOT LIGHT ON MEMBER ALBERT ROBB I believe the next "event" was a trip to Western Australia in company with the carrier Hermes and other escorts. My brother was serving on her at the time, so we did manage to get the In June 2019 new recruit Albert Edward Robb joined the odd run ashore together, but not in "Oz" as the various ships visited different ports. Hermes went Association, a 100th birthday gift from his daughter Paula. to Freemantle, Ajax to Bunbury on the South West corner of W.A., a mining town if my memory There can't be many organisations that can boast having a serves me right. We were treated to the traditional "Aussie" hospitality - no it's not true that they centenarian new member! He will be 103 on 13th September. all hate "Poms"! As you will know if you've been "down under", they like their beer very cold - His granddaughter Viona has just sent through archive so if you don't want stomach ache, the best procedure is to buy a pitcher (jug) of Swan lager in material some of which I share here. A transcript of his Ajax advance of your "shout" so allowing it to warm up a bit so at least you can taste it. As with all memoirs can be found on our website on this page - these "show the flag" visits there were the usual sport and social events. We had a passable soccer https://www.hmsajax.org/subsequent-commissions team but I can't remember any results. Another tradition was to host a party onboard for the local under-privileged children. This Albert served in Ajax from 19/03/1940 to 22/11/1941. Official consisted of dressing up in pirate rig, a film show, "tea and stickies", party games, etc., however, No: c/SR 16343, Ajax rating Petty Officer (Ordnance on this occasion we also rigged up a "walking the plank" demonstration to enhance the pirate Artificer). Left Ajax in Alexandria for a UK Draft then called theme. I borrowed a sheath knife from a mess mate to hold between my teeth for extra effect, but in to New York & brought over the first American troops after when I hit the water it became dislodged and sank to the bottom. The owner was rather upset Pearl Harbour, arriving UK Feb 1942. about this, so I had to pay compensation in the form of "gulpers", this was on top of a similar payment to one of the ship's divers who had attempted to find it! Even in the very clear water it After foreign service leave, drafted to hunt class destroyer was never found. HMS Meynell on 6th March 1942; convoy duties in home Another "highlight" of this visit was the wardroom cocktail party (I wasn't invited). It was waters for 3½ unusual in that the guests were transported to the ship by a vintage steam train along the jetty, this years which has stayed in my memory as I must confess to being a bit of a steam train "crank". included arctic Following this visit we rejoined Hermes and other escorts and headed back to Singapore convoys to Russia until coming south to take part in via the Sunda Strait. After, a short spell alongside we conducted exercises with other elements of Normandy landings on D-Day. Constant convoys to the Far East fleet and our R.A.N. and R.N.Z.N. allies in the Singapore areas. Around this time we France followed until France was cleared of were ordered "best speed" to the scene of a collision in the South China Sea. A U.S. navy Germans; after that, convoys to Antwerp. He was destroyer, the USS Frank E. Evans, had been cut in half by the Australian carrier Melbourne on made Chief Petty Officer on 11/12/1942 and 3rd June 1969. This was the second ship to suffer the same fate, the first being HMAS Voyager in finished with the Navy 18/12/1945. He has 13 February 1964. Tragically, quite a few crew members [74] went down with the fore section of the decorations, all government issued: 7 UK, 3 ship when it sank, leaving the after section still afloat. I can remember the "cut" was very clean, Russian, 1 Malta, 1 Greek and 1 French. The as if by a knife and the different decks and compartments could be clearly seen. The tragedy Russian one being the Ushakov Medal*, one of happened when the destroyer, acting as "plane guard" turned across the Melbourne's bows in the Russia's highest naval awards. The French one dark and was struck amidships. Needless to say, damage to the carrier's bows was minimal. The being Appointment Chevalier of the order national destroyer's remaining section was towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines, where a memorial de la legion of honour which is France's highest service was held for those who were lost. In fact, Subic Bay was our next port of call on order of merit which, as he says, makes him a completion of the exercises and we saw the remaining after section in a floating dock. knight. He was mentioned in despatches whilst in On a lighter note, those of you who have been to Subic Bay (now closed) may recall that the Arctic. A copy of his memoirs are in the Albert proudly displays his medals once you have traversed the immaculate Naval base with all its riverside facilities, you crossed Admiralty archives. over a bridge into the town of Olongopo - what a cultural change! It was built on 'frontier town' lines complete with dirt streets and wooden sidewalks. It consisted mainly of bars, gambling dens, so called restaurants and "massage parlours". It was recommended you stay together in *The medal is named after Fyodor groups as robbery was quite common. The U.S. Naval Shore Patrols usually left "jolly jack" Ushakov, an 18th Century naval alone, preferring to prey on their own enlisted men. Another unsavoury activity there was the sale commander who never lost a battle and of live chicks to feed to the alligators in the river! is the patron saint of the Russian navy. We then headed north to Japan, first stop was Yokosuka, another U.S. Naval base. I was It was created in 1944 and is awarded "lucky" enough to be shore patrol whilst there, a U.S. Navy Chief was in charge and was quite to veterans "for personal courage and taken aback when we suggested having a quiet "wet" whilst visiting various bars, needless to say valour shown during World War Two his reply was in the negative! We next visited Muroran, a medium sized port and I recall going on while participating in the Arctic a coach trip to various temples, shrines and other places of interest. Convoys"

Ken 'Sharky' Ward … PART 2 to be concluded in the June 2021 Edition Also available on website here - https://www.hmsajax.org/archive-ajax-frigate

Albert's Ushakov Medal

20. 21.

X marks Albert

London Gazette 1 January 1944 Entry: Ordnance Artificer Fourth Class Albert Edward Robb, C/SR. 16343 (Newark, Nottinghamshire)

Albert featured in a local paper with his Mentioned in Dispatches certificate for the 60th anniversary of VE Day in 2005

20. 21.

X marks Albert

London Gazette 1 January 1944 Entry: Ordnance Artificer Fourth Class Albert Edward Robb, C/SR. 16343 (Newark, Nottinghamshire)

Albert featured in a local paper with his Mentioned in Dispatches certificate for the 60th anniversary of VE Day in 2005

22. 23.

ARCHIVIST REPORT MARCH 2021 H.M.T. KINGS COURT was a requisitioned A relatively quiet period in terms of enquires despite lockdown boredom. Since the new site went trawler that served as an live in July 2020 the domain has been visited over 4500 times and the domain name now appears auxiliary patrol on the first search page of the popular browsers when entering just “hms ajax” which is pretty minesweeper. good considering “Wikipedia” dominates! Requisitioned in November 1939 and IVOR D SHEPPARD returned September Martin Sheppard was trying to find out more information about his late father Ivor D Sheppard 1946. H.M.S. Lynx was a who served in HMS Ajax. shore base. Unfortunately Ivor Sheppard does not appear on our lists and in fact the only Sheppard there is, is a J. Sheppard. Martin came back to me having delved a little deeper with the following information: he was born 15 September 1924 and commenced his naval service 12 May 1943 and left 9 September 1946. He served in HMS Marlborough and Ajax. (However, Marlborough was an Iron Duke Battleship commissioned in 1914 and scrapped in 1932?). Unfortunately his MOD records are The other two images I guess are action shots from incomplete and merely confirm he did serve in Ajax. He was awarded the Atlantic Star; Italy H.M.T. Kings Court. Star; D-Day Clasp; Service medal; 1939-45 Medal.

SIDNEY (STANLEY) NORMAN SARGEANT Aaron Brownlie is undertaking research on behalf of the family of Sidney Norman, or Norman Sidney, Sargeant. He understands he was a Royal Marine and was at the Battle of the River Plate in Ajax. Stanley, rather than Sidney, Norman Sargeant does appear on the list held by Ajax but is shown as having served in HMS Achilles rather than Ajax at the time of the Battle of the River Plate December 1939. He was a marine bugler. His name appears on the Memorial Wall and there is a Sargeant Avenue in Ajax. Aaron came back, 'Thanks for your reply and help. The Battle of the River Plate means a bit to me as we New Zealanders had a warship there, and I have been lucky enough to have Lt Ian Dea'ths DSO Blues Uniform dated 1938. I am doing research for the family who have intrusted me with Stanley's medals and his original paperwork etc. Again I have his brother's uniform and photo's etc. who also served with the Royal Marines on ships. Again Malcolm thanks so much for your help. SYDNEY ERIC DURHAM Adrian Durham was after information about his late father Sydney Eric Durham. He was born THOMAS ELLIOTT January 1925 and he believes he served in Ajax around 1945-47 and was with Ajax after the war Ron Davis from Australia is seeking information about his grandfather Thomas Elliott who he when she visited South America to repatriate German prisoners of war. believes served in Ajax in the engine room. Sydney Durham does not appear on the list held by Ajax which would tend to indicate he joined There are 3 Elliot and 1 Elliott appearing on the list held by Ajax and shown as having served in Ajax after the War. Ajax sailed from Buenos Aires on 16 February 1946 for Freetown & HMS Ajax: T. Elliot 1943; I. M. Elliot 1943; J. Elliot 1941; Frederick Samuel Elliott RM 1941. then collected more German internees at Lisbon & Bilbao and continued the escort as far Errors were not uncommon so T. Elliot is probably his grandfather Thomas. as The Needles, Isle of Wight, England. There is an Elliottglen Street in Ajax commemorating all four Elliots. Ron also sent some photographs: ARTHUR MOLLS This photo dated 5/1/45 shows him to be an E. R. A. Kevin Molls is a grandson of Arthur Molls who served in Ajax during the war and he has his which is an engine room artificer confirming he medals and is interested to learn more about him. He does know he was awarded a Distinguished served in the engine room but up from a Stoker. Service Medal for an act of bravery and would like to learn more about the DSM. A. F. Moll does appear on the list held by Ajax and is shown as having served in HMS Ajax in The photo of the envelope with Brooklyn address 1940 to 1943. His name appears on the Memorial Wall. thereon will no doubt relate to the period when Ajax A search on the internet reveals that Arthur was awarded his DSM as below: went to the USA New York Navy Base for long-term SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 JUNE, 1941 repairs March to October 1943 where the remaining For courage, enterprise, and skill in successful action against Italian Destroyers: crew were billeted with local families in the area … The Distinguished Service Medal. including Miss Nina Young! Petty Officer Arthur Frederick Moll, C/J-994I5, H.M.S. Ajax. The entry can be found here: The fancy 1944 Christmas envelope was probably https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35201/supplement/3652/data.pdf produced to commemorate the visit of Churchill & Eden aboard Ajax Christmas Day and also used it as their HQ for a few days in the Meditterraen. 22. 23.

WILLIAM STANLEY SMATHERS Keith Phillips is a collector of navy medals, specifically WW11 groups. He has a set awarded to William Stanley Smathers who was in Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate. Keith was undertaking research on William and sought our assistance. It seems he died in service in 1954. Keith also has an Ajax painting by an artist called Brian Sanders, whose work was used to commemorate Ajax, among others, in a series of stamps for the Marshall Islands in 1989. Keith has offered to bring it to a reunion if we wish.

I was able to confirm W. Smathers appears on our list as having been in Ajax 1939-41 and his name appears on the wall.

GEORGE WILLIAM HILLS Alan Morgan resides in Hills Road Ajax and was after more information about George William Hills in whose honour the street is named. George was killed in action while in HMS Ajax during action east of Malta on 12 October 1940 when Ajax provided cover for Convoy MF4 to Alexandria with Fleet units and deployed with ships of the Squadron east of Fleet. In close range night action with HM Cruisers ORION, SYDNEY and YORK screened by HM Destroyers NUBIAN and MOHAWK against Italian convoy in Gulf of Otranto. Two destroyers, AIRONE and ARIEL were sunk and destroyer ARTIGLIERE damaged. Ajax was hit by seven shells resulting in 35 casualties including 13 killed. He was advised to contact Brenda at the Town and also the MoD service record route

CHARLES E. CANT I received an enquiry from the family of William Cant. This rang a bell and on checking found that I had received exactly the same enquiry from the same person in August 2018. I resent the old reply adding that if they had followed my advice and obtained his service record they will have all his details!

Malcolm Colls Archivist

IN ROUGH SEAS?

In the December Newsletter I posted this photograph with this caption– “This dramatic image appeared on the HMS Ajax Facebook page. Rough seas … or sinking?” Member Robert 'Yorky' Brook (A/B UC* Ajax 1972-75) pointed out that it wasn't Ajax because it's not a Leander class Frigate and the thing that makes it so obvious is the gun turret; it shows a Mk8 4.5 whereas Leander's had the twin barrel 4.5 which were removed from Ajax in '71 and replaced with Ikara anti-submarine missile system.

Thanks Robert - that's the trouble with having a landlubber as editor!