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H.M.S. Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 CONTENTS Chairman's Remarks Newsletter Editor's Remarks Standard Bearer's Report The Longest Tow Memories of the Falklands Conflict– Glyn Seagrave Commemorative Plate Membership Secretary's Report With obituary: Ted Wicks Sale of Ajax to Chile – Clive Sharplin Garden Party – Dan Sherren Ajax Cleaner Road to Salvation Mike Cranswick – Ajax Visit 7th Astute Submarine Name Captain Peter Cobb – Obituary Graf Spee eagle Crossing the Line – Follow up Barnard Court Ajax Charlie Maggs & Joe Collis News from Town of Ajax – Colleen Jordan Roy Turner - Birthday Party 1975 Times of Malta article Archivist Report Separate Sheet 2017 AGM Agenda NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ NEWSLETTER EDITOR REPORT Peter Danks NEWSLETTER EDITOR Thanks to everyone who contributed material for this Newsletter. If you do see any material in 104 Kelsey Avenue Malcolm Collis any way connected to Ajax, sailors, the sea or similar, that you think may be interesting or Southbourne The Bewicks, Station Road humorous please send it to me. Emsworth Ten Mile Bank, Even though the Newsletters are only every three months it soon comes round and again a holiday Hampshire PO10 8NQ Norfolk PE38 0EU near the issue date has meant a rushed end. Tel: 01243 371947 Tel: 01366 377945 [email protected] [email protected] Talking of holidays; I haven't done too much on the 2019 South America trip this period as I have been waiting to see what comes out of the Reunion AGM when we debate it. Also on the agenda is the MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE TREASURER/ question of merchandise and we shall need to think about what we take out to South America – all SECRETARY MEMBER STANDARD BEARER three ships for the first stage and Ajax & Exeter for the second – any ideas will be welcomed. Mrs Judi Collis Alan (George/Phil) Phillips Alf Larkin Malcolm Collis The Bewicks, Station Road 8 Orchard Way Lime Kiln Cottage Ten Mile Bank 2 Easton Lane Send Hill STANDARD BEARER REPORT – Alf Larkin Norfolk PE38 0EU Send Portland Dorset DT5 1BW Tel: 01366 377945 Surrey GU23 7HS Since the last report the Standard has been paraded at the following events. Mobile: 07736 929641 Tel: 01305 457259 [email protected] Tel: 01483 223299 [email protected] 2nd April Civic Service at Easton Methodist Church Portland [email protected] 25th April Anzac Day Wreath Laying Ceremony Weymouth Seafront 15th May John Garrard's Funeral Colchester Essex www.hmsajax.org 6th June D Day Remembrance Service Victoria Gardens Portland 18th June Armed Forces Veterans Parade Weymouth Seafront CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS 21st June Weymouth Mayor Civic Service, Upwey Church Weymouth 31st July 100 year Battle of Passchendaele Service at Easton Methodist Church Portland I hope you have all had a pleasant summer in mixed weather. It hardly seems possible that we will be 11th August Ted Wicks' Funeral Godalming Surrey putting the clocks back next month!!! The Association has suffered another sad loss with the passing of Ted Wicks, another River Plate Veteran. There was an excellent attendance at his funeral in Armed Forces Veterans Parade – Alf in the middle! Godalming on 11th August – my thanks to all those who attended. We are pleased that Frank Burton, Albert Smith, Jim London and Basil Trott continue to be in good health. The committee have acted on the proposal passed at the last AGM to hold this year's Reunion in Stafford. However the uptake has not been as good as expected, especially as we have asked Isle of Wight Tours to make the arrangements for this year. I would like to suggest that if members at the AGM support a date and venue for the Reunion, that good support is given. Your support is essential if the Reunion is to be a success. It is the one event of the year which everyone has the opportunity to attend. The committee are very keen to implement what members want and I thought for our first visit north of Portsmouth or Gillingham there would have been more support. When considering the date and venue for next year, please bear this in mind. This leads me on to the AGM – the agenda is attached with this newsletter. If you are unable to attend but wish to comment on any item, please let me know in writing or via email if you prefer and I shall input any comment to discussions we have at the time. As I have mentioned on previous occasions, it is YOUR Association and the future lies with you to support events and or make proposals for what you would like to see happening within the Association. While all the items are equally important, may I draw your attention to two items – the visit to South America in 2019 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Battle and Association Merchandise. At the presentation day for the Chilean Earthquake Medal, initial discussions were held with the Chilean Ambassador and he expressed his support for a visit to coincide with a visit to Montevideo. THE LONGEST TOW? If you are interested in going please let Malcolm know and he can keep you updated as plans take shape. The other item is Association Merchandise – what would you like – this applies to items for Picked this up on Facebook. Don't know anything the ladies as well; in addition items which can be given on special occasions e.g. the visit to South about it so perhaps someone could enlighten me America. please? The AGM is the opportunity to share your thoughts, so please take a few moments to drop either 1982 Indian Ocean – The Singapore Island myself or Malcolm a line. The Newsletter is one of the best that is in circulation but it does rely on Incident … lost all propulsion … towed by Ajax contributions from members. So please take the time to send Malcolm an article for inclusion in … thought to be one of the longest tows in naval future issues. history? The poster remembers getting a share in Peter Danks Chairman the salvage money. Malcolm Collis 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ NEWSLETTER EDITOR REPORT Peter Danks NEWSLETTER EDITOR Thanks to everyone who contributed material for this Newsletter. If you do see any material in 104 Kelsey Avenue Malcolm Collis any way connected to Ajax, sailors, the sea or similar, that you think may be interesting or Southbourne The Bewicks, Station Road humorous please send it to me. Emsworth Ten Mile Bank, Even though the Newsletters are only every three months it soon comes round and again a holiday Hampshire PO10 8NQ Norfolk PE38 0EU near the issue date has meant a rushed end. Tel: 01243 371947 Tel: 01366 377945 [email protected] [email protected] Talking of holidays; I haven't done too much on the 2019 South America trip this period as I have been waiting to see what comes out of the Reunion AGM when we debate it. Also on the agenda is the MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE TREASURER/ question of merchandise and we shall need to think about what we take out to South America – all SECRETARY MEMBER STANDARD BEARER three ships for the first stage and Ajax & Exeter for the second – any ideas will be welcomed. Mrs Judi Collis Alan (George/Phil) Phillips Alf Larkin Malcolm Collis The Bewicks, Station Road 8 Orchard Way Lime Kiln Cottage Ten Mile Bank 2 Easton Lane Send Hill STANDARD BEARER REPORT – Alf Larkin Norfolk PE38 0EU Send Portland Dorset DT5 1BW Tel: 01366 377945 Surrey GU23 7HS Since the last report the Standard has been paraded at the following events. Mobile: 07736 929641 Tel: 01305 457259 [email protected] Tel: 01483 223299 [email protected] 2nd April Civic Service at Easton Methodist Church Portland [email protected] 25th April Anzac Day Wreath Laying Ceremony Weymouth Seafront 15th May John Garrard's Funeral Colchester Essex www.hmsajax.org 6th June D Day Remembrance Service Victoria Gardens Portland 18th June Armed Forces Veterans Parade Weymouth Seafront CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS 21st June Weymouth Mayor Civic Service, Upwey Church Weymouth 31st July 100 year Battle of Passchendaele Service at Easton Methodist Church Portland I hope you have all had a pleasant summer in mixed weather. It hardly seems possible that we will be 11th August Ted Wicks' Funeral Godalming Surrey putting the clocks back next month!!! The Association has suffered another sad loss with the passing of Ted Wicks, another River Plate Veteran. There was an excellent attendance at his funeral in Armed Forces Veterans Parade – Alf in the middle! Godalming on 11th August – my thanks to all those who attended. We are pleased that Frank Burton, Albert Smith, Jim London and Basil Trott continue to be in good health. The committee have acted on the proposal passed at the last AGM to hold this year's Reunion in Stafford. However the uptake has not been as good as expected, especially as we have asked Isle of Wight Tours to make the arrangements for this year. I would like to suggest that if members at the AGM support a date and venue for the Reunion, that good support is given. Your support is essential if the Reunion is to be a success. It is the one event of the year which everyone has the opportunity to attend. The committee are very keen to implement what members want and I thought for our first visit north of Portsmouth or Gillingham there would have been more support.