Ajax New Past up For

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2020

CONTENTS Committee Details Chairman's Report Secretary's Report Membership Secretary's Update Victory over Japan – a Close Call Confessions of a PO Caterer Standard Bearer Report Website Update RCSCC 46th Annual Review Black Tot Fifty VJ Day 15 August 1945 Message from Cherry Sevigny Photographs from Andrew Beare Geoffrey Haylett Follow Up Ajax Club Halifax Nova Scotia Snippets from the Falklands HMS Exeter Football Team Float Planes Compared – Bob Adams Winning Float Planes in 1939 – Bob Adams The Good Life in the Harwood Household Falklands Surrender ARNO Newsletter Archivist Update

Separate Pages COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS FOR 2019/2020 Chairman Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Webmaster Newsletter Editor Archivist

1935 - 48 1963 - 85 Nec Quisquam Nisi Ajax www.hmsajax.org 2. 3.

dates: 1st , 2 nd , 3 rd October 2021. I personally think this a fascinating setting. Hopefully our Guest CHAIRMAN Nigel Masters list will be as impressive as it was to be this year, with many of the people we met on the trip to The Lookout South America attending. Golden Cross Terrace Station Road, Swineshead Our invitation to various people to become Honorary Association members has been met with Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3LP unanimous acceptance and in all cases they were very pleased to accept and we are delighted to Tel: 01205 820127 Mobile: 07743 381153 have them as members. [email protected] It had been the intention of a small group of members to attend the 65th Anniversary of the Town SECRETARY of Ajax, Ontario back in June but unfortunately along with so much else it had to be cancelled. We Peter Danks have been in contact with Mayor Collier's Office and the Town intends to hold the postponed Gala 104 Kelsey Avenue th th th Southbourne, Emsworth on Saturday 12 June next year with the preceding week 7 to 11 put aside for Street dedications Hampshire PO10 8NQ and other events, the number of intended attendees has increased from this year and I would like Tel: 01243 371947 to hear from anyone else who would like to visit Ajax: if you have never been before I can assure [email protected] you that you will not be disappointed. The welcome from the Townsfolk is heart-warming and there are tributes to HMS Ajax everywhere. Not to mention that you are on the outskirts of MEMBERSHIP www.hmsajax.org SECRETARY Toronto and only 90 miles from Niagara Falls and the USA. Paul Parker [email protected] 8 Templecombe Road Our Facebook page [HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association] has become very popular Eastleigh, Hampshire during the lockdown with many new member requests and some from relatives of former crew SO50 8QL members, it really is worth a look. Tel: 02380 693709 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2020 Mobile: 07962 080240 [email protected] It just remains for me to say please stay safe and well and hopefully by the December Newsletter, life will be back to normal or at least the “New Normal” TREASURER Hello Everyone. Ian Darbyshire 28 Antony Road, Torpoint, I sincerely hope this September edition of the Newsletter finds Best Wishes Cornwall PL11 2JR everyone in good health and safe. The past few months have Nigel Masters Chairman HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association Tel: 01752 815789 been, as were the months preceding the last Newsletter, [email protected] extraordinary to say the least! Consequently, the Committee ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/ have met twice on-line by using the “App” Zoom; this has NEWSLETTER EDITOR been an amazing experience. If you can picture it in your Malcolm Collis mind, Ian Darbyshire and I, at the relatively young age of 64, The Bewicks, Station Road were the youngest participants and the ages then went up to Ten Mile Bank, Norfolk PE38 0EY Tel: 01366 377945 81! Some of us could hear others but not see them and others SECRETARY'S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2020 [email protected] we could see but not hear! The first five minutes were absolutely hilarious! The Committee have met twice recently via Zoom – much benefit, saving travelling time for MERCHANDISE OFFICER committee and financially for the Association. It was with regret that this year's Reunion was Michael Fox We have now got over these IT problems and have gone cancelled so early but in the light of developments it has proved to have been a sensible decision. 6 Bown Hill through matters that needed attending to, not least the 2020 Southwell, Portland Dorset DT5 2ED AGM/Reunion and the re-election of the Committee. It was In the absence of the AGM, put off until the 2021 Reunion at Portland first weekend of October, Tel: 01305 823436 decided early on to cancel this year's Reunion but we did committee members have written their annual reports and these are appended to this Newsletter. [email protected] discuss the idea of holding the AGM by Zoom but decided Please do get in touch if you have any observations or comments you would like the committee to against that as it was bad enough organising the Committee discuss. As I have mentioned before, it is your Association - so please keep in touch. COMMITTEE MEMBER members let alone 200+ members, potentially. Some Alan (George/Phil) Phillips 8 Orchard Way committee members belong to other Associations etc. and The Committee do hope our elderly and/or members living alone are keeping well – if you wish Send Hill, Send, Surrey GU23 7HS without exception they have extended the term of office from to contact us please do so – details on the inside page of the newsletter. Malcolm Collis recently Tel: 01483 223299 one to two years; which is what we have done. Hopefully this visited Basil Trott at his home. Basil was 100 last December and now is quite frail but retains his [email protected] meets with your approval; if not please let us know and also sense of humour. We wish you all continued good health and look forward to the “new normal” let us know if you desperately wish to become a committee STANDARD BEARER whenever that presents itself. Alf Larkin member. Stonecleave Peter Danks Secretary HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association 26 Wakeham Portland Another decision made, you will be pleased to know is that Dorset DT5 1HN membership fees will remain the same (£12 & £18 family). Tel: 01305 457259 We discussed next year's reunion and decided to keep it at the [email protected] same venue, The Heights Hotel, Portland, Dorset and the 2. 3.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT GERMANY Dr Inge and Dr Rüdiger Nedden [Langsdorff], daughter of Captain Langsdorff CROSSED THE BAR Graf Spee We have been advised that Life Member Rosemarie Quaintance passed away on the 19th July having been diagnosed with cancer in April. She lived in Harwich, Essex and had been in a care Graham Irwin (Travel Counsellor) organised our travel requirements for the trip. home. A simple funeral was held on 18th August. Rosemarie was the wife of Jack Quaintance who had been an active Association committee member and was in Ajax 1945-47; he died in All of the above played an important part in ensuring our visit was such a success. 2006. Birthdays We did circulate the sad news of the passing of Reid Sevigny in Canada on 6 June; many will Happy Birthday to the following crew members who had birthdays in this Newsletter period (June remember him and Cherry, a Life Member, who has been a staunch supporter for many years to August inc.) during her time with Ajax and since. CRUISER Member Vic Wilson forwarded details of the passing of CPO Jan Tarrant, 90, who served on the Donald Birrell 93 frigate during her first commission 1963-1965 with Vic. He was not a member of our association. Richard Llewellyn 95 This was reported by his daughter Yvonne Newell. Alan Lorriman 95 William Parker 99 NEW MEMBERS The following Associate members joined us during the past quarter, they are: FRIGATE Fred Coates 81 Caspar More Great Grandson of Commodore Henry Harwood Wilbert Curran 79 Steven Trawley Father Lionel Henry Trawley served on the Ajax during the Battle of the Peter Danks 81 River Plate John Gallway 61 David Johns 79 Following our highly successful visit to South America last year the committee invited the Alf Larkin 74 following to become Honorary Members of our Association. Without their help the trip could not Bob McMorran 80 have happened. I am delighted to say that all invitees have gladly accepted. Martin Rowland 71 Dan Sherran 74 CHILE Alan Styth 63 Captain Chris Saunders RN Defence Attaché British Embassy Santiago John Wilson 75 Jamie James Bowden British Ambassador to Chile (now retired) Armando Cartes Professor University of Concepción (Historian and Guide) I have not included the years served on the ships as there are several members who have not submitted their details. If I have missed your birthday please let me know. URUGUAY SUBSCRIPTIONS Richard Empson President of the British Society in Uruguay (Overall Coordinator) Annual subscriptions remain the same, £12 for individuals and £18 for families. Ian Duddy British Ambassador to Uruguay Subscriptions can be paid using the Subscribe button on the joining page on our website, you can Andrew Beare MBE Punta del Este do it when you join or as an existing member. Future payments are taken out on that anniversary Karina Aprile (British Embassy Official) and we are notified by PayPal that the payment has been made. Ingo Von Voss German Ambassador (now retired) Bank Transfers or Standing Orders can be set up using the details below: Frank de Waele German Defence Attaché Rev Cynthia Myers Dickin (now retired). Organised and led the service in Templo Ingles BANK DETAILS: HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Association (RPVA) Church in Montevideo ACCOUNT NUMBER: 24865868 SORT CODE 30-99-56 Chris Pool (British Legion) CHEQUES payable to HMS Ajax & RPVA and sent to: George Stewart Allies & Silver River Lodge Jörg P A Thomsen (Andes Museum) PAUL PARKER (MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY) 8 Templecombe Road, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 8QL Tel 02380 693709 [email protected] ARGENTINA Group Captain Robin Smith Defence Attaché Argentina and Uruguay A reminder of the change to the Association's Constitution passed at last year's AGM: Tim Lough British Legion If any member fails to pay their subscription following a reminder after one year Gen. Heinrich Dick (retired) President of Graf Spee Association. membership may be closed at the end of the second year if there has been no response. I am pleased to say that memberships are generally being kept up to date. Please do check that yours has been paid for the current year. 4. 5.

VICTORY OVER JAPAN – A CLOSE CALL proceeded to bring me an unopened bottle which I discovered had been confiscated from a British tourist. Over the next few hours I was given more bottles which ended up being smuggled Thanks to Peter Danks who spotted this article in his local paper, the Portsmouth Evening News, on board and enjoyed over the next few days. featuring member Richard Llewellyn who was grateful when Victory over Japan was declared as The "refugees" arrived by bus and appeared in better condition than we were. It turned out that he was on route to the Far East in HMS Easton. they were all British tourists stranded in their hotels in Nicosia at the outbreak of the war and had been well fed and looked after. Eventually the AJAX was given permission to come alongside which it did covered all over with Union Jacks and playing Nana Mouskouri music over the tannoys. After embarking our guests we sailed for our base in Akrotiri where our guests were disembarked and flown home. In case the Jossman reads this article I would like to remind him that I now live in the USA, I am an American citizen and the statute of limitations has run out.

Yours sincerely,

STANDARD BEARER'S REPORT

Of necessity another quiet period for our Standard Bearer Alf Larkin with the only outing being to All Saints Church Portland for the Victory over Japan 75th Anniversary Day on Saturday 15 August 2020.

CONFESSIONS OF A PO CATERER Following my plea to Frigate members for information for the new website one member sent me material, including this letter that took my fancy. He ought to remain anonymous but thanks Clive Morris! Malcolm Collis California USA 12th May 2002 Dear Jack Thank you for the March newsletter, the article about the Brass Monkey was very interesting. Also the profile of F114 and the mention of the rescued British citizens in Cyprus brought back memories. In 1974 AJAX was sitting 3 miles off the coast of Famagusta, a holiday resort, in Cyprus when as the PO Caterer I was sent ashore in the ship's whaler with six sailors to meet up with British "refugees" and supply them with food and drink until the ship received permission to arrive alongside. We arrived at the customs shed which was ventilated with shell holes and occupied with young Turkish soldiers armed with machine guns. Needless to say we were unarmed. Although at first things seemed a bit chaotic we soon had tables with food and drink ready for our refugee survivors. Tension eased when one of the Turkish officers asked if I would like a scotch and he 6. 7.

Yours sincerely,

STANDARD BEARER'S REPORT

WEBSITE UPDATE RCSCC HARWOOD 46TH ANNUAL CEREMONIAL REVIEW

The new website went live on 28th June keeping the domain name www.hmsajax.org When the Association visited Ajax in 2014 for the 75th Anniversary of the River Plate one of the official engagements was to visit the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Harwood for their 40th I have included a lot more general and archive information, lots more photographs and video Annual Review with Jonathan, Ben and Kate Harwood performing the role of reviewing officers. clips [off YouTube] thanks to the greater web capacity.

In June this year the Association was contacted by Lieutenant Ross Mounsteven the Executive Officer for the Cadets with a request to present some awards at their VIRTUAL 46th Review. After some arranging it was agreed that I would present the Captain Tubby Squires Award and Seb Harwood would present his great grandmother's Lady Harwood Award.

And so it was on Saturday 6th June we both joined the on-line group meeting in Ajax. There The site has the following pages: was an impressive list of awards Home and recipients with ours near the About Us end. It was then my turn to say a Association News – with an Obituary sub-page few words. The Captain Tubby Joining Us - with joining forms and payment methods [can also be used to pay subs and make Squires Award was donations] commissioned and presented to Association Events – with 3 sub-pages covering events going back to 2014 the Cadets by Nigel Masters Town of Ajax – with one sub-page with Memorial Wall names etc. during our 2016 visit [he was not Three Archive pages with a total of 18 sub-pages and 9 sub-sub-pages covering all the old Ajax, available to make the award]. the cruiser + diary & captains, River Plate and participants, frigate + diary & captains, WW11 The cadets were recently asked seaplanes used, Graf Spee & Capt. Langsdorff; “Do You Know” section and much more to vote on the member of the Newsletters – current and all the old ones back to 2011 corps that they felt had Association Merchandise – our own small shop and a page of items available from other contributed the most. This year sources is was a three way tie - Chief Petty Officer Second Class Contact Form Emilie Comeau; Petty Officer Please do look at it and any feedback will be gratefully received; likewise additional material First Class Abbie Hood; and would be appreciated. Petty Officer First Class Skye Malcolm Collis Pinto. Each opened their envelopes at home and a wave signified acceptance with applause save for the end.

Jonathan Harwood had hoped to make it home in time for the awards but was tied up with his veterinarian duties but son Seb ably presented the Lady Harwood Award. This award was donated to the corps in 1978 by Lady Joan Harwood. Lady Harwood was the wife of Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, after whom the corps is named. The Award is the most prestigious award presented each year and is awarded to the cadet judged by the staff to be the “Best Cadet of the Year”. The winner was also Chief Petty Officer Second Class Emilie Comeau.

As proceedings drew to a close Jonathan managed to join us and with a wave it was all over. Ross is keen to develop our relationship and if anyone visits Ajax please do make contact with them. He is hoping that we may be able to do something for the 2024 50th anniversary of the Cadets. Malcolm Collis 8. 9.

WEBSITE UPDATE RCSCC HARWOOD 46TH ANNUAL CEREMONIAL REVIEW

BLACK TOT FIFTY VJ DAY 15 AUGUST 1945 On this infamous day fifty years ago, Andrew Davies, whose father Albert Frederick The Naval Hierarchy said a resounding NO. 'Bert' Davis served in HMS Ajax during the final No more shall you draw your daily tot, months of WW2 and beyond, sent in photographs It's beer only now for you lower deck lot. taken by his father. They were taken in St Tropez and are entitled VJ Day. For 303 years rum was the currency of the sailor lowly paid, Whilst Ajax was in the South of France at this time An eighth of a pint daily to savour or for a favour to trade. 75 years ago she was actually there as Flag of Sippers or gulpers in the main or grounders for saving a life, Admiral Sir John Cunningham, then CinC A source of comfort in times of tribulation and strife. Mediterraen Fleet, to take part in the celebrations commemorating the 1st anniversary of the Allied Admiral Vernon added water and it became known as grog, landings, 15th August 1944, in the south of France - Up Spirits became a daily entry in every HM Ship's log. Operation Dragoon, the follow-up of the D-day Over the years it assumed another Admiral's name. landings in which she took part in both. But even as Nelson's Blood it tasted just the same. It would seem a coincidence that Ajax was there at the time of the end of the War and I suspect on a day before the term “VJ Day” was coined. Through peace and war, gale and shot, Malcolm Collis A sailor knew he would receive his daily tot. For sea battles won or the product of Royal passion Splice the Main Brace meant there was an extra ration.

The years went by and wooden walls became steel, And those in high places applied an abstemious zeal. Alcohol and technology they said are not well-matched, So the dastardly plan to end the rum ration was hatched.

Admiral “Dry Ginger” Le Fanu who was First Sea Lord then, Killed an old naval tradition with the stroke of his pen. Many a salty old sailor shed a tear on that fateful day, Even though they got an extra thruppence in their pay.

So with full pomp and great ceremony but no cheers of hooray, MESSAGE FROM CHERRY SEVIGNY For the final time Ships Company's stowed their rum barrels away Our friend Cherry, whom many of you will know from Ajax [Life Member], has sent the No more would Sailors hear the pipe that thrilled them most, Association a thank-you message following the death of her husband Reid. Details were Do you hear there…Up Spirits…stand fast the holy ghost!!! circulated 6th June and brief details appear in the Membership Secretary's report. Cdr N J “Nobby” Hall RN “I would like to thank everyone who reached out to me after Reid passed away to offer condolences and sympathies to me and my family. It was and continues to be a sad time for us as Sent in by Peter Danks we are still in a bit of shock as to the suddenness of it all. I am blessed to have my two daughters and their families as well as countless friends and associates who have been so compassionate during this time. I rely on everyone who has lost someone close who have offered advice on the process of grieving. We will, at some point, be able to move on to a place where we can use our wonderful memories of him and the life we had together. It will take time, I know, but with the passing of time, the hurt and sadness will lessen but we will always think of him but adjust to life without him. I loved him without exception and we did have 51 years together so I am very thankful for those years. I also want to thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement that was delivered to me - it was really beautiful. I think I may have said this previously but I will be forever grateful to the Mayors of the Town of Ajax, with whom I had great working relations, for the opportunity to get involved with the history of the Town of Ajax and then the association with the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association. Reid and I met so many lovely veterans over the 23 years I worked at the Town and many became close friends. I always get sad when I hear of one of them passing, but it is life and we must accept it. They enjoyed an incredible life and I learned so much from them through their stories. So thank you both for arranging for the flowers and for passing on the news of Reid's passing.” Cherry Sevigny 10. 11.

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ANDREW BEARE

Another of our South American friends is Andrew Beare MBE from Punta del Este and he sent through some photographs he found during a lockdown quiet period sort-out. They were taken by his father Arturo Eric Beare in 1939; he worked for a British Shipping Company called Royal Mail Lines and had a lot to do with the Port Authorities and Uruguayan Navy at that time. These are unique and never-seen before images so grateful thanks to Andrew for sharing with us. They show the Graf Spee in Montevideo and following the scuttling. His father is in the image with the flag, sailing out to the Graf Spee scuttle site.

Arturo Eric Beare – under the flag to right of gent with hat. Sailing out to scuttle site.

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PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ANDREW BEARE

Arturo Eric Beare – under the flag to right of gent with hat. Sailing out to scuttle site.

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GEOFFREY HAYLETT FOLLOW UP AJAX CLUB HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

For those following the story of Geoffrey “Jack” Haylett and his time in Exeter will be aware Whilst aware of the Halifax Yorkshire connection I had only heard rumour of any Halifax Canada that member Mike Cranswick is on a crusade to get to the bottom of the story and the links until I received a website enquiry from Christine Turley about her father Peter Vivat. connections with his old school. It seems he went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York at the time Ajax was there under repair. Following exercises with the American Navy he sailed in Ajax for Chatham, stopping off at the Mike sent in this update … he is making progress. Azores for minor repairs. He then returned to Boston on HMS Queen Elizabeth. From Boston he “I have been quietly plodding away with the Haylett story, there have been a lot of dead ends went by train to Toronto, Canada then sailed down the St Lawrence River where he joined HMS and some slow responses from enquiries but I wanted to share a photograph with you that I Maenad, an Algerine Class mine-sweeper. At Halifax it is mentioned that he signed the Ajax Club discovered. Honours Book and Christine would love to see the book. He then returned to the UK with a Greek Going back to his birth and the association with the village of Whitwood (That appears on the skipper. watch inscription) I have been drilling into the history of Whitwood near Wakefield and I'm fairly certain now that Geoffrey Haylett had a much bigger family than initially thought. Time to google it! Whitwood had one of the biggest collieries in Europe owned by the Brigg family. Jack's father “The Ajax Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia was sponsored by the Interallied Hospitality Fund and Samuel Haylett was a colliery supervisor and as a result they lived in 'Bosses Row' a terrace of established in August of 1940. The club's objective was to uphold the morale of servicemen, to colliery owned cottages at Whitwood Terrace. I'm now at the stage where I know Jack had 3 bring warmth and joy into their lives, and help them forget the grim realities of war. The chair of sisters and 2 brothers, likely all deceased. the Ajax Club secured the use of the Odell House at the corner of Queen and Tobin Streets in The photo I have is at The Miners Welfare Institute where a welcome party was put on for the Halifax for this purpose. The Ajax Club opened on 4 November 1940, with the official opening return of 2 Whitwood servicemen, Geoffrey Haylett with his Exeter cap on and a Norman taking place on 14 December 1940 when Sir Gerald Campbell came from Ottawa. The club Wallace who had just returned from Dunkirk. They are seen with Dean Harrison who was featured a library widely supported by donors and a bar that served beer to a maximum of two manager of the mine. I'm told that Geoffrey had just returned after the River Plate, the photo quarts a day. The ability to serve alcohol was considered controversial and on 23 February 1942 date is believed to be 1940. I very much suspect that this is when the watch was presented to the license to sell alcohol was withdrawn by the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission and the club Haylett. was in effect closed.” I am in contact with the daughter of the soldier Norman Wallace who is 88 and went to school with Geoff Haylett's brother Colin (deceased). She now lives in Scarborough and we are The Town's archives made no mention of the origins of the name nor any reference to the Honours communicating via FB messenger. I'm sure my wife thinks I'm having an affair!! Book. Ajax never went to Canada and the only reason for the name that I could think of was by She remembers Haylett had just come back from the battle. association with the Battle of the River Plate and all that stood for?

I emailed the HMS Jervis Bay Association as they were coming up with links to the Club and Halifax; their story can be found here https://hmsjervisbay.com/Casualties.Gallery.php Trevor Reeve of that association responded to the effect that he had little to add but suggested I contact a Dr Jay White, something of an expert on the subject. I received the following: “Dear Malcolm, Thank you for your enquiry about the Ajax Club & hoping this finds you well. As the attached article from the Montreal Gazette newspaper will attest, your hunch as to the origin of the name is absolutely correct. Furthermore, a little more than a year ago I was contacted by Mr Wes Cross at McGill University in Montreal, informing me that the indomitable Dolly McEuen had donated her collection of ship's crests to McGill. After receiving your message I emailed Mr Cross, who confirms that one of the crests is from HMS Ajax. I am sure that you and your members will be pleased to know (assuming the crest is indeed the original) that an authentic and historic HMS Ajax artefact survives in Montreal. Apparently an online exhibition of the crests is in the works, however the pandemic has thrown a wrench into those plans as it has into so many others. Just to clarify, it was the “Ajax Hospitality Headquarters” that received the ship's crest in 1943, not the Club which was closed in 1942. A third entity, the Ajax Scholarships created by Mrs It's a great photo and cements what we know of Haylett being on the Exeter and at the battle. I McEuen after the war, perpetuated the name. Indeed, one might say the Ajax connection survives have permission to share it with Trinity House OBA and the River Plate Vets. to this day, in the form of the McEuen Foundation https://mceuenscholarship.com/ which still awards scholarships to deserving students. Interestingly while doing this research, I discovered that Jack's mother's maiden name is the same as my mother's maiden name and that Whitwood is neighbouring the villages that my As to your second question, I am embarrassed to say that I know nothing about an “Honours parents originated from. I'm half expecting us to be related! Book.” If such a thing existed, given the tens of thousands of naval members who visited both the I'm still in pursuit of an elusive relative, but happy at this point to have acquired a bit more Club and “Hospitality Headquarters,” there must have been more than one book. Now that you've corroborative evidence. I'm in touch with the Castleford branch of the RNA and waiting to see if put a bug in my ear, I'll keep it in mind and perhaps something will turn up. Never say never. they hold anything.” Mike Cranswick 14. 15.

GEOFFREY HAYLETT FOLLOW UP AJAX CLUB HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

I hope this is useful. Just to bring anyone interested up to speed on the barebones of the story, I'll also attach an article prepared for a service publication here in 2009.”

Jay also sent me a larger document on the subject – if anyone wishes to see it please contact me.

In amongst the material is a reference to the guest book which started the whole enquiry off – “… getting the guest book signed! A very careful record must be kept of these mens' movements, coming as they do from not one but several ships. This record protects our [Ajax Hospitality Club] guarantee to Commanding Officers that their men can be recalled, if necessary, at four to six hours' notice; we sometimes have as many as 180 out on rest leave …” This explains the function of the books as not just being a “visitors” book. Jay continues with his researches on our behalf so expect an update in the December Newsletter – he thinks the guest books may be in the Ottawa archives but they are out-of- bounds at the moment thanks to Covid19. HMS EXETER FOOTBALL TEAM Malcolm Collis Our friend Armando Cartes in Concepción, Chile sent through an email with a screenshot of a Facebook post regarding the history of the city of Talcahuano [the port of Concepción] including a press cutting referring to a football match between a team from HMS Exeter and the Turner (Torneros) Shipyard (now Asmar) of the Chilean Navy in Talcahuano.

Not sure what the date was but it was before the earthquake of 24 January 1939 so would be in the period of either 12th to 30th October 1938 or on Exeter's second visit to Talcahuano 3rd to 7th January 1939.

Also not recorded is the final score! The Exeter team players were; Dove, Symonds (Symons), Sukenurd?, Morgan, Chalkley, Parry (killed at River Plate), Sparks, Mather, Langmead, Bradbury & Hicks.

SNIPPETS FROM THE FALKLANDS Our friend George Stewart from Montevideo sent through more material from the Falklands Facebook page including the “Triumphal March” schedule that I hadn't seen before plus a few photos of which I include one with an interesting twist to it! Not sure if Johnson is a maiden name but there is only one Johnson listed for Exeter at the time, Leslie Robert Johnson Royal Marine

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I hope this is useful. Just to bring anyone interested up to speed on the barebones of the story, I'll also attach an article prepared for a service publication here in 2009.”

Jay also sent me a larger document on the subject – if anyone wishes to see it please contact me.

Also not recorded is the final score! The Exeter team players were; Dove, Symonds (Symons), Sukenurd?, Morgan, Chalkley, Parry (killed at River Plate), Sparks, Mather, Langmead, Bradbury & Hicks.

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Which was Best Float Plane for The 1939 Battle? by Bob Adams WINNING FLOAT PLANE IN 1939 - By Bob Adams Scouting. Searching for enemy ships and unexplained over-horizon smoke. Any of the three planes could be flown solo, but on Operations each Reconnaissance. Reporting enemy and neutral ports. carried an Observer. Spotting in Action. Observation of ships gunfie and torpedoes. The Best Observer Plane. The Arado observer's forward view (photo right) was obstructed by the pilot's head when flying straight and level. Fairey SeaFox Supermarine Walrus Arado. Arado Ar196 He had a better view sideways over the low wing when the monoplane banked to circle. However, when the Seafox banked, the observer's downward view was obstructed by the upper wing. The Walrus's observer in the cockpit had a superb 1800 view. Winner Walrus Crew Capacity. Only the Walrus had a dedicated position (photo left) for an optional radio operator/navigator. In the Battle the Seafox had no Two on Ajax. Two on Exeter. Three on Cumberland. Two on Graf Spee. Deployed communication with Ajax for the first critical twelve minutes due to a muddle 2-seat tandem 2 side by side and one in rear radio cabin 2-seat tandem Crew over air/ship radio frequency. Wouldn't happen in a Walrus. Winner Walrus Configuratio Conventional Biplane with twin floats Amphibian Flying boat with outriggers. Upper Low cantilever monoplane, twin floats. Spee otherwise identical to land-plane. wing on struts. High tailplane. Pusher prop embarked the first two ? the production line. Instructional Plane. Pilots might have had tuition on Ship Storage On catapult, no hangar. One on catapult, other(s) in hangar. One on Graf Spee catapult, other underneath other float planes before being sent solo in Seafox or Folded wings Arado. The Walrus had dual control making it ideal training plane. The control columns were not fixed in the usual way but could be unplugged from either socket in the floor. Crew often only fitted one (photo right) as they might need to crawl forward into the machine-gun hatch. Winner Walrus Speed mph Cruise105. Max 125 Cruise 90. Max 135 Cruise 165. Max 200

Alighting mph 55 55 60 Alighting on Water. The pilot descended by reducing power, keeping Endurance 4hr. 15min 6hr. 6hr. 30m speed steady, wings level. Just above the waves he reduced his speed by Range nm 450 600 650 easing the nose up with the elevator until he alighted gently. Too high and too slow he might stall Dual control Capable but not installed. Side by side. Control sticks interchangeable. No in. Too fast, he might bounce and porpoise in. Because the Seafox's and Arado's tailplane were in Engine Napier Rapier 8.8 litre 395 h.p. Bristol Pegasus. 29 litre 620 h.p. BMW. 28 litre 750 h.p. the conventional low position, waves smashed into the elevator at the critical moment. The YouTube clip on the Association website shows a video of an Arado disaster due to a heavy “landing”. The reason the Walrus had it's tailplane high on the fin was to protect the elevator. Winner Walrus Ground Landing. Only the Walrus had retractable wheels and a tail wheel in the rudder. A ground landing after sea launching might be unintentional or deliberate. Winner Walrus

Vertical engine. 3 bladed tractor propellor Radial engine 4 bladed pusher propellor Radial engine 3 bladed tractor propellor Defensive Armament. The observer manned the gun in the Arado (photo

Defensive Lewis machine gun on rear cockpit flexible One .303 Vickers machine gun in open nose, MG15 .312 machine gun on flexible mount, left) and the Seafox. Because of the high Armament mount. another in rear cockpit. asymmetric acceleration force during the catapult launch he needed to face forward in his seat but had to swivel in his seat or kneel to fire the rear facing gun. Walrus's gun had unrestricted 1800 angle from forward hatch (photo right). Winner Walrus.

Camera Doubtful F24 camera 5”x5”,250 Doubtful Engine Position. Water ingress onto the hot front facing engine was a Mount motor driven magazine. problem with the Seafox and a disaster for the Arado with cracked Totalweight 20 lbs (photo camera only) cylinders. Its high engine mount makes Walrus Winner. Engine Cooling. The Seafox and Arado especially suffered over-heating

At Plate Only operational plane. Sea retrieval after Operational but non-readied. Both battle- Both unusable due to unserviceable engines. when the plane was stationary on the catapult awaiting launch. The tractor Battle two hours. Observed scuttling of Spee. damaged and jettisoned. Battle-damaged. Jettisoned in MonteVideo. propeller blew HOT air over the enclosed Hook-up ancillaries such as the oil cooler. The while keeping pusher prop sucked in COOL air. Winner station with Walrus ship Camera Mount for observer to operate easily and record images on 250 standard RAF large size negatives. No provision in Seafox and Arado. Winner Walrus

Vertical engine. 3 bladed tractor propellor Radial engine 4 bladed pusher propellor Radial engine 3 bladed tractor propellor Defensive Armament. The observer manned the gun in the Arado (photo

Crew man on leading edge near rotating One hook connection to slings in wing. Crew Front connections underside one metre from Engine Access. The Seafox and Arado designs were constrained propellor man on leading edge away from prop spinning propellor. to the same tight configuration as the land plane shape. All round access on the Walrus Nacelle Weakness Cooling problem. Spray problem. Not pretty. Looks like a boat. Which it is. Hot engines cracked due to water spray. made maintenance easier. Winner Walrus Underpowered. Nickname “Steam Pigeon” or “Shagbat” or worse. “Mädchen für alles” (Maid of all work) Launch. A 5 inch cartridge of cordite, without the shell!, fired the catapult. The G forces pressed crew back into their seat and head rest. The Arado and Seafox's observers had to face forwards in 20. 21. launch and swivel later. The Walrus crew had a side by side armchair launch. Winner Walrus FALKLAND ISLANDS WAR - SURRENDER 14 JUNE 1982 Retrieval. On the water the pilot had to maintain position with the ship whilst also being buffeted by its bow wave, so the propeller had to be running, making catching and securing the dangling The 14th June 2020 marked the 38th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War and member crane hook dangerous. Walrus had built-in gear in upper wing. A crew member climbed onto the Glyn Seagrave sent in a copy of the Surrender telex advising that “The Falklands Islands are top wing and attached it to the crane hook. Arado and Seafox had two links to make close to the once more under the Government desired”. Whilst Ajax was elsewhere several of our members prop. Winner Walrus saw action there in other ships. Which was The Best Design? Some people think of design purely as shape. The Spitfire aeroplane had a beautiful streamlined shape. It was designed that way purely for speed and fighting, not for beauty. It was designed by the acknowledged greatest aircraft designer of all time “Father of the Spitfire” R.J. Mitchell. Simultaneously it was Mitchell who designed the Walrus, which needed neither speed nor fighting ability. He designed the Walrus for purpose and set out above are some reasons why the Walrus was an outright winner. Mitchell should be remembered as the “Father of the Spitfire and the Walrus”

[Editor's comments – whist researching the situation regarding the planes carried by the various ships for the website (https://www.hmsajax.org/aircraft) Bob was approached because of his close links to the ship's designs (his father was the designer of the Leander class and Exeter) and his knowledge of aviation. The subject snowballed and I am grateful for the effort he has put into the subject – which is ongoing]

THE GOOD LIFE IN THE HARWOOD HOUSEHOLD

Jonathan and Sue Harwood attended the South America trip. At the luncheon with the Graf Spee Association in Buenos Aires, the President General Enrique gave me/the Association a commemorative cigar. Later I mentioned this to Jonathan, who being an occasional cigar smoker ASSOCIATION OF ROYAL NAVY OFFICERS – ARNO was disappointed not to get one. I got a message to Enrique and no sooner said than done but a box of cigars was delivered to Jonathan. Well done to Peter Danks who with dogged determination managed to get a two page spread in the Association of Royal Navy Officers [ARNO] Newsletter, with 5000 readers, highlighting our When son Seb returned home from university, having finished his finals, it seemed the ideal December 2019 trip. Visit our website at https://www.hmsajax.org/2019-events and click on celebratory opportunity to break out the cigars relaxing in their garden with a wee dram of ARNO Article link for full article. Laphroaig malt – a whisky from the Isle of Islay where my maternal grandmother hailed from! Malcolm Collis 20. 21. launch and swivel later. The Walrus crew had a side by side armchair launch. Winner Walrus FALKLAND ISLANDS WAR - SURRENDER 14 JUNE 1982 Retrieval. On the water the pilot had to maintain position with the ship whilst also being buffeted by its bow wave, so the propeller had to be running, making catching and securing the dangling The 14th June 2020 marked the 38th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War and member crane hook dangerous. Walrus had built-in gear in upper wing. A crew member climbed onto the Glyn Seagrave sent in a copy of the Surrender telex advising that “The Falklands Islands are top wing and attached it to the crane hook. Arado and Seafox had two links to make close to the once more under the Government desired”. Whilst Ajax was elsewhere several of our members prop. Winner Walrus saw action there in other ships. Which was The Best Design? Some people think of design purely as shape. The Spitfire aeroplane had a beautiful streamlined shape. It was designed that way purely for speed and fighting, not for beauty. It was designed by the acknowledged greatest aircraft designer of all time “Father of the Spitfire” R.J. Mitchell. Simultaneously it was Mitchell who designed the Walrus, which needed neither speed nor fighting ability. He designed the Walrus for purpose and set out above are some reasons why the Walrus was an outright winner. Mitchell should be remembered as the “Father of the Spitfire and the Walrus”

THE GOOD LIFE IN THE HARWOOD HOUSEHOLD

I also passed on the Commonwealth War Graves link for him when he perished in the then ARCHIVIST REPORT SEPTEMBER 2020 HMNZS Achilles in X Turret. Following River Plate repairs she operated in the southwest Pacific escorting troop convoys and operating against Japanese forces. During operations with US Navy The new website finally went live in July with a trickle of enquiries received on the new forms forces off Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands, on 5 January 1943 the ship was damaged by a to go with previous ones in this newsletter period. Japanese air attack that killed 13 crewmen. Richard Sidney Coleman's name appears on the list of casualties buried in our Time Capsule at the LIONEL HENRY 'SCUPPER' TRAWLEY National Memorial Arboretum. Steve Trawley was after information regarding his father Lionel 'Scupper' Trawley who served in Ajax at the time of the River Plate. He also believes he attended reunion meetings in the late STEVEN LAST 70's early 80's on HMS Belfast and the Polish Centre. A Frigate enquiry from David France looking to track down Steven Last, his Oppo A/B (GA2) I could confirm that L G H Trawley appears on the Ajax list and Memorial Wall and that there is born around 1953. Both served in Ajax in 1973 to 1976. a Trawley Crescent in Ajax. He is not listed as a former Association member. Steve sent in a picture of his father and an unidentified artefact [can anyone shed any light upon it?]. FRANK HARRIS Steve said, “I have a faint memory of someone arriving at the reunion with a large box full of Adrian Harris contacted us to share some these little bits of the Graf Spee. The man (think he was German?) said a group of them dived information about his father Frank Harris. He died down and collected what they could from the wreck. Apparently the wreck was covered in sand in a motorcycle accident just after the war when and silt and he thought it would be inaccessible in a year or two. But this is a memory of a six Adrian was an infant. He was told he was a Royal year old so I wouldn't bet too much on that account!” Marine in the marine turret in Ajax at the River [Enrique Dick, President of the Graf Spee Association who has also dived the wreck couldn't Plate where several fellow marines were killed. He identify the piece] has a shrapnel splinter his father brought back with him and presented to his wife Audrey (Adrian's mother) when they lived in Devon. [Unfortunately it has the wrong date inscribed]. The map is of that cruise and is signed by Frank. There is a Harrisview in Ajax in his honour.

Adrian confesses that “Mother was very angry with me when I traded his medals for a tape recorder when I was 16yrs old. And how I regret that now!”

Lionel with his wife Pamela in red dress at Ajax Lionel Centre Reunion 1980

RICHARD SIDNEY COLEMAN Paul Wood wanted to know if anyone may have known his grandfather Richard Sidney Coleman. He was a marine in HMS Achilles at the Battle of the River Plate and although he survived that engagement he was subsequently killed in Achilles in 1943 at Guadalcanal. I could confirm that he was listed as an Achilles marine at the River Plate. 22. 23.

Adrian confesses that “Mother was very angry with me when I traded his medals for a tape recorder when I was 16yrs old. And how I regret that now!”

Lionel with his wife Pamela in red dress at Ajax Lionel Centre Reunion 1980

HARRY VINE Carole Vine was seeking information about her father Harry Vine and anybody who may have known him when Ajax ended up in the USA under repair. He was born 15 March 1918 and served in Ajax. He died in 1989 and the day he died he received his Arctic Convoy medal from Russia! He was a Royal Marine and whilst in the US was billeted at 71 Hasell Street, Charleston with Mrs Bess Conner. Unfortunately his name does not appear on the Ajax list so she was directed down the MoD route for his service record.

THOMAS BURGESS Ritchie Conaghan was after information about his Not sure which one is Harry grandfather Thomas Burgess who was a stoker in Ajax 18

April 1942 to 8 March 1943. He enlisted on 3 December 1940 and was discharged 31 March 1946. He also served in HM Ships Saker, Nigeria & Arethusa during D-Day. He too ended up going with Ajax to Charleston for repairs. T. Burgess appears on the list held by Ajax and is shown as having served in HMS Ajax in 1943 and his name appears on their Memorial Wall.

CHARLES EDWARD BECK Peter Beck sent a cutting [right] relating to his uncle Charles Edward Beck. He is listed as having served in Ajax 1939/40 so would have been at the River Plate confirming the press cutting. He appears as C E Beck on the Memorial Wall and Beck Crescent is named in his honour.