Ajax New Layout2

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

MARCH 2012

CONTENTS

Chairman/Editor's Remarks

Membership Secretary’s Update

Archivist Update

Pictures of Seafox

Ajax Pictures from 1965

Trophy Lives

Captain Edward Desmond Bewly McCarthy

Who Served Your Meals?

NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. Outstanding Subscriptions. The Chairman mentioned in the December Newsletter CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis outstanding subs. Regrettably, several members did not respond and therefore they Peter Danks ‘Glenmorag’ will cease to receive the Newsletter as of now. 104 Kelsey Avenue Little Coxwell Southbourne Faringdon 2012 Reunion. As advised in the last Newsletter, this will be held at Gillingham on the Emsworth Oxfordshire SN7 7LW 3rd and 4th October. This should appear in the March Navy News. Booking forms will Hampshire PO10 8NQ Tel: 01367 240382 be sent out with the June Newsletter with arrangements the same as last year but if you Tel: 01243 371947 Mobile: 07736 929641 want to book early you can download one off the website. I am very pleased to [email protected] [email protected] announce that The King Charles Hotel have kept their prices the same as last year. TREASURER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Alf Larkin Mrs Judi Collis Website. The Chairman would like to thank Graham Dring and Malcolm Collis for 5 Cockles Way ‘Glenmorag’ getting our new website up and running (www.hmsajax.org). There is lots of Weymouth Little Coxwell, Faringdon information on the site for the benefit of members, those seeking information about Dorset DT4 9LT Oxfordshire SN7 7LW relatives and friends, historians and researchers. I would also urge you to note Tel: 01305 775553 Tel: 01367 240382 [email protected] Mobile: 07736 929641 Malcolm's request for information to be sent to him. [email protected] Town Of Ajax forms. Thanks to all those who have sent in their Update forms. They www.hmsajax.org have all been scanned and forwarded to Susan at Ajax. If you have a street in Ajax, are in the pipeline, or indeed feel you ought to have one, and haven't completed the form as CHAIRMAN'S/EDITOR'S REMARKS yet, please do so. Judi Collis can supply a new form if perhaps you have mislaid the original – give her a call. Some of the information coming in is new and adds to our I shall start by hoping that these Chairman's/Editor's Remarks are made by Peter records, for example, dates of birth. Danks. Peter went into hospital on the 30th January for a scheduled operation on his Update on some members. One date of birth that came to light was for Bob Matthews, leg and knee. However, recovery is taking a little longer than he and Elizabeth one of our Plate members. Until now, we believed our oldest member was Joe Collis expected, although he should be home Monday 13th February. He will, however, be in from the first commission but Bob can beat him by a month and 10 days. Both will be danger of missing his own deadline for producing the March Newsletter! I am sure we 95 in June and July respectively. Unfortunately Bob's wife Irene informs us that Bob is all wish him a full and speedy recovery. very poorly so we send them both our best wishes. (Update – Peter did get home on schedule but is still fairly immobile and was happy for Judi Collis phoned Sam Shale, another Plate man, a couple of days before his 91st these remarks to go out in his stead) birthday (13th February) to see if his health was improving. She also spoke to Sam and To ease Peter's burden Judi and Malcolm Collis volunteered to do as much of the his son, John: the recovery process will take some time but John says “He will be Newsletter as they could, so apologies if it is not up to the exacting standards of the back”. We also wish him a speedy come back. Newsletter Editor. Committee Meeting. Your Committee members met with Stephen Harwood on 15th December 2011, hosted by Stephen, for which we are very grateful. The main business was to progress the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the River Electronic Version of Newsletter. The Archivist has circulated an email to all of you on Plate in 2014 and whilst this may sound a long way off, it will soon be upon us. At this email suggesting that, in order to try and reduce the not inconsiderable financial burden stage we are thinking of arranging a church service and a luncheon in Portsmouth on upon the Association, we hope to send out the Newsletter electronically to as many 13th December 2014 which actually falls on a Saturday. We shall also try to arrange a people as possible. Quite a number have come back indicating they are happy to Canada trip earlier in the year. Attendance at the Keel Laying ceremony for the Astute receive it in this manner and only 2 would still like a postal copy which I fully Submarine, reputed to be named Ajax, is still a possibility but when that is likely to be understand. If you would still like to receive a hard copy please respond to Malcolm.” is still up in the air. As always, we would be grateful for any suggestions or ideas from members. We shall keep you posted with developments. 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. Outstanding Subscriptions. The Chairman mentioned in the December Newsletter CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis outstanding subs. Regrettably, several members did not respond and therefore they Peter Danks ‘Glenmorag’ will cease to receive the Newsletter as of now. 104 Kelsey Avenue Little Coxwell Southbourne Faringdon 2012 Reunion. As advised in the last Newsletter, this will be held at Gillingham on the Emsworth Oxfordshire SN7 7LW 3rd and 4th October. This should appear in the March Navy News. Booking forms will Hampshire PO10 8NQ Tel: 01367 240382 be sent out with the June Newsletter with arrangements the same as last year but if you Tel: 01243 371947 Mobile: 07736 929641 want to book early you can download one off the website. I am very pleased to [email protected] [email protected] announce that The King Charles Hotel have kept their prices the same as last year. TREASURER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Alf Larkin Mrs Judi Collis Website. The Chairman would like to thank Graham Dring and Malcolm Collis for 5 Cockles Way ‘Glenmorag’ getting our new website up and running (www.hmsajax.org). There is lots of Weymouth Little Coxwell, Faringdon information on the site for the benefit of members, those seeking information about Dorset DT4 9LT Oxfordshire SN7 7LW relatives and friends, historians and researchers. I would also urge you to note Tel: 01305 775553 Tel: 01367 240382 [email protected] Mobile: 07736 929641 Malcolm's request for information to be sent to him. [email protected] Town Of Ajax forms. Thanks to all those who have sent in their Update forms. They www.hmsajax.org have all been scanned and forwarded to Susan at Ajax. If you have a street in Ajax, are in the pipeline, or indeed feel you ought to have one, and haven't completed the form as CHAIRMAN'S/EDITOR'S REMARKS yet, please do so. Judi Collis can supply a new form if perhaps you have mislaid the original – give her a call. Some of the information coming in is new and adds to our I shall start by hoping that these Chairman's/Editor's Remarks are made by Peter records, for example, dates of birth. Danks. Peter went into hospital on the 30th January for a scheduled operation on his Update on some members. One date of birth that came to light was for Bob Matthews, leg and knee. However, recovery is taking a little longer than he and Elizabeth one of our Plate members. Until now, we believed our oldest member was Joe Collis expected, although he should be home Monday 13th February. He will, however, be in from the first commission but Bob can beat him by a month and 10 days. Both will be danger of missing his own deadline for producing the March Newsletter! I am sure we 95 in June and July respectively. Unfortunately Bob's wife Irene informs us that Bob is all wish him a full and speedy recovery. very poorly so we send them both our best wishes. (Update – Peter did get home on schedule but is still fairly immobile and was happy for Judi Collis phoned Sam Shale, another Plate man, a couple of days before his 91st these remarks to go out in his stead) birthday (13th February) to see if his health was improving. She also spoke to Sam and To ease Peter's burden Judi and Malcolm Collis volunteered to do as much of the his son, John: the recovery process will take some time but John says “He will be Newsletter as they could, so apologies if it is not up to the exacting standards of the back”. We also wish him a speedy come back. Newsletter Editor. Committee Meeting. Your Committee members met with Stephen Harwood on 15th December 2011, hosted by Stephen, for which we are very grateful. The main business was to progress the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the River Electronic Version of Newsletter. The Archivist has circulated an email to all of you on Plate in 2014 and whilst this may sound a long way off, it will soon be upon us. At this email suggesting that, in order to try and reduce the not inconsiderable financial burden stage we are thinking of arranging a church service and a luncheon in Portsmouth on upon the Association, we hope to send out the Newsletter electronically to as many 13th December 2014 which actually falls on a Saturday. We shall also try to arrange a people as possible. Quite a number have come back indicating they are happy to Canada trip earlier in the year. Attendance at the Keel Laying ceremony for the Astute receive it in this manner and only 2 would still like a postal copy which I fully Submarine, reputed to be named Ajax, is still a possibility but when that is likely to be understand. If you would still like to receive a hard copy please respond to Malcolm.” is still up in the air. As always, we would be grateful for any suggestions or ideas from members. We shall keep you posted with developments. 4. 5.

Membership Secretary's Update On a sad note, we have received notification, from his Welcome to new members: wife Gloria, of the death of Albert Large who Crossed the Bar on 20th February 2012. Albert lived in Ontario James Brian (Jim) Smith: Jim has been a regular attendee at our reunions, always and was one of the band of surviving River Plate bringing a supply of Ajax plaques. Jim lives in Doncaster and has been the secretary of veterans; now reduced to ten. Albert was born in 1920 the River Plate Veterans Association since 1998 having joined it in 1982. Jim was a and he and Verona emigrated to Canada just after the CPO in the regular Navy and Lieutenant (SCC) RNR. Jim's connection is through his war and joined the Police in Ontario. Albert was a good father, Joab Smith - usually known as Joby, who joined the Navy as an ordinary friend and shipmate of one of our other surviving Plate seaman in July 1937 and served in HMS Drake from then to April 1938 when he was veterans, Bill Swanston. Albert was a regular attendee drafted to HMS Exeter. He served in Exeter until coming home after the Battle of the at Town of Ajax visits and the group photograph was River Plate in February 1940. He went back to HMS Drake until August 1940 when taken in 2009. Large Crescent in Ajax is named after he joined HMS Kenya, a new cruiser just completed, in Glasgow. He stayed with him. Kenya for the rest of the war. He was then in HMS Drake in Devonport until he left the Navy in December 1945 as a Petty Officer AA gunner 1st class. He stayed connected to things naval and was a CPO and later a lieutenant with the Sea Cadets from 1951 to 1970. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer and eventually died in May 1998 aged 78.

Jim used to drive father down to Plymouth to The River Plate Veterans and Families Association reunions (sounds familiar!) from the early 1980s until his last reunion in 1996. Jim also produced much of the paperwork for the Association. After two previous secretaries had died, and as Jim knew the 'paperwork', he was asked if he would be the new secretary for the association. Jim has been secretary since February Signalman Bert ‘Nutty’ Large 1998. in 1939

Eileen Gee: Bob's (who served on the Ajax in 1946) better half has officially become an associate member. They live at Belton near Great Yarmouth and have recruited a possible new member, Peter Kemp whose uncle was featured in the December 2009 visit to Town of Ajax (Albert seated) Newsletter. Peter's application form is on its way to us. We would like to encourage any other wives or partners to join us. Many thanks for all the subscriptions received for 2012 so far and also for the extra donations received: they make all the difference. It is great to hear your news, David Harris: David is from Quinns Rocks, Western Australia, son of Stanley especially if it can be used to help fill the newsletter with interesting little ditties. Many Charles Harris (Gus). Stanley was on Ajax from 1939 to 1941. Stanley died in 1984. of you have also returned the Town of Ajax Street dedication forms from which we (see the Archivist report) David made contact through a website forum, to which have updated our records and scanned and sent to Susan and Brenda in Ajax. Thank Malcolm responded and David has supplied quite a bit of archive material. you very much. If any of you have mislaid the form, or our update one, then give me a call. Robert Adams (Bob): Bob lives in Boreham, Chelmsford, son of Albert (Ajax) Adams, who died in 1973. Albert was the RCNC designer of the Ajax and other As raised at the AGM in Gillingham, in the minutes and in the December Newsletter, cruisers. Albert became a Shipwright apprentice at R.N. Pembroke Dock in 1900, there are still a number of outstanding 2011 dues and in some cases, 2010 as well. followed by stints at R.N. College Greenwich and R.N. Dockyard Chatham before Many thanks to all of you who have rectified this. Unfortunately, with the passage of becoming an Engr. Lieutenant on HMS Implacable 1908-09. In 1910 he became a time, some people have moved on and have not contacted us so we will, regrettably, Naval Constructor serving until 1946. As an ex-shipwright, he was required by the have stop the Newsletters as the postage is quite a consideration. Admiral to spend a year at sea as a newly qualified Naval Architect: this was in 1908, in a pre-Dreadnought ship. I am delighted to say that Bob, accompanied by his wife Judi Collis Anne, will be attending our reunion at which Bob will be our guest speaker – should be fascinating. Address and email as per page 2 4. 5.

Association) has been received regarding his late father, Stanley Charles Harris (Gus). Happy Birthday to the following Members who had birthdays in this Newsletter Stanley, according to his Service Record, joined the navy on 28th July 1937 and went period (December to February Inc.): to Ajax on 31st March 1939 as a 'Boy', became an Able Seaman on 14th March 1940 Nigel Harcourt served on the Frigate 1965-66 was 67 on the 12th December and remained on Ajax until 9th November 1941, thereafter spending sometime at Cliff Pantrey served on the Frigate 1972-76 was 72 also on the 12th December Alexandria at HMS Nile (Western Desert, Campus and something like 'Dul_ _ _toa'. Basil Trott served on HMS Exeter 1936-40 was 93 on the 22nd December His service number was FX670449. Prof. Jerry Kirk served on the Cruiser 1942-43 was 89 on the 31st December If anyone remembers Stanley would you please let me have as much detail as you can John Dooley served on the Cruiser 1947-48 was 83 on 5th February so I can pass on to David. Also, if anyone has any information about HMS Nile I would Sam Shale served on the Cruiser 1938-42 was 91 on 13th February be pleased to receive it. It seems HMS Nile was a shore establishment, possibly for Albert Smith served on the Cruiser 1939-41 was 90 on 27th February 'special services', but I cannot find too much information about it at this time. (Apologies to anyone not mentioned in this or previous editions – to rectify this, please PATRICK MAHER complete your update form and send to the Membership Secretary) John Riding is trying to find out information about his late father-in-law, Patrick Maher but the only information he has is that he was a navigator in a Fairey Seafox on HMS ARCHIVIST UPDATE Ajax. I would like to start this Update by paying thanks to Graham Dring, one of our This is the reply I sent him: Associates, who has guided me through the process of getting the new Association website up and running. I see the Site fulfilling several functions, not least of all as a During her first commission 1935 – 1937, HMS Ajax used a Hawker Osprey float repository of historical information available to the general public biplane, flown by RAF crew, as her spotter plane. Please do have a look at the site, or get someone to do it on your behalf, Her second commission on 11th January 1938 followed a refit when, presumably, the (www.hmsajax.org). There you will find lots of details about the Association, Reunion Hawker Osprey was replaced by two Fairey Seafoxes (First introduced 23rd April details, Newsletters etc., Archive material on all 8 HMS Ajax, their Captains, Cruiser 1937) now flown by Fleet Air Arm Naval crew. casualties and lots, lots more, Photographs, Contact details, restricted Members Page, The pilot who flew at the Battle of the River Plate (13th December 1939) was etc. etc. On the Home Page I mention that the website is “work in progress”; I have Lieutenant E. D. Lewin but as yet I have not come across details of any Navigators. much archive material to go through and I am scanning and putting the documents into Patrick Maher does not appear on the, albeit incomplete, list of those on the Ajax readable form and uploading relevant information onto the site, but this will take time. during the Battle of the River Plate. The site has already had over 1000 visitors resulting in several enquiries about Ajax and those that served on her. Ajax was withdrawn from service in February 1942 for a refit that commenced on 6th June 1942 when her aircraft were removed and replaced by additional guns. She was (Please also join the Site by going into the Login/Join page>'Click here to sign recommissioned on 24th October 1942 and returned to service. up'>enter a user name>enter and confirm a password>enter email details>enter name: and that's it. Once I confirm you'll be able to access the restricted Members We have no record of him having been a member of the Association but he would have Page). been on Ajax during the period 11th January 1938 and February 1942. Many of you will know that I am not a Navy man but rather an Associate, as is my wife You may wish to visit the following site http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk which Judi, the new membership Secretary, by virtue of being the son of Joe Collis (still shows 3 P Maher's for WW2 but you'll need to subscribe, and pay, to get further going strong at nearly 95) who was on the first Commission of the Cruiser. Therefore, I details.” shall be reliant upon members to help me out when I ask 'stupid questions'! Again, if anyone remembers Patrick, would you please let me have as much detail as Whilst the papers I inherited as Archivist are fairly comprehensive I would be please to you can so I can pass on to John. Additionally, if anyone wants to correct, add, alter or receive any additional records, photographs, documents, thoughts, or indeed any amend the above please do let me know. information from members to build up the history of the Ajaxs before it is too late! I am ARCHIVIST QUESTIONS particularly light on Frigate information. Question No.1 INFORMATION SOUGHT ON FORMER AJAX CREW MEMBERS On the website I have included a list of some 450 names who would have been at the STANLEY CHARLES HARRIS Battle of the River Plate. I know this list is incomplete as there are quite a few former An enquiry from David Harris from Australia (who has subsequently joined the Association members (and one current member) not included. I have also put these 6. 7.

Question No. 2 One of our former Association members at the Plate was Frank Hurley but he resigned about 18 months ago. We have recently tried to contact him but without success. The last address we had for him was Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. Does anybody know if he is still alive and if so, do they have any contact details please?

Question No. 3 Does any one know the significance of the Ajax crest that appears on the inside page of the Newsletter and on some blazers - it is the pentagonal cruiser one but on a white field with crossed tridents + motto? I did put this out to those on email and I'm grateful to the reply from Trevor Dixon (Frigate), however, I still do not know the origins of the badge. "I would suggest that the crest/ship's badge you refer to can only be deemed 'unofficial'. The original badge pattern was submitted to the Admiralty on 2 September 1920 and is described as "Black; the Corinthian helmet of a Greek warrior gold and was in a circular frame for capital ships i.e. battleship" Malcolm Collis Archivist

Letter dated 30/1/2012 To all Shipmates Many, many thanks to all of you for signing my Get Well card at the 2011 Reunion. It certainly gave me a great lift that morning I received your card in the post. I have completed one course of spinal injections which has relieved the pain a little. I am now awaiting a date for my second injection which I hope will enable the Trouble & Strife and wheelchair chappy to attend the 2012 Reunion. Once again so many thanks to you all and a very belated Good New Year to everyone. Reg Dolby 8. 9. names on the website, but against several of the names I only have their Ajax service As a result of the enquiry about Patrick Maher I found out these pictures of the Seafox date as '1939' so it is not clear if they would have been at the Plate. Here is that list – can with an interesting account of the rescue of one of the crew! anyone tell me whether the individual was at the Plate or not? Name Initials Died Ajax dates Adams Reg 1997 1939 Agate J N/K 1939 Kitney Edgar 06/03/1994 1939 Mason L R N/K 1939 Robbie R B 11/07/2002 1939 Roberts Leslie W 24/02/2002 1939 Stearns Harry N/K 1939

These grainy photographs found in the Some of you may have seen this article in the January 2012 Navy News – it is archive material, among the 1st reproduced with their permission. (There is also more information about her and her Commission papers, would appear to be Captains on our new website) from the 1965 2nd Commission and sent in by a Ben Salter from Preston at some stage Trophy No 13,116 is a watercolour – I assume he is one of the Stokers but I of the first HMS Ajax by Eric Tufnell; have no other details of him. she was a 3rd rate ship carrying 74 guns Malcolm Collis and had been built in Portsmouth Dockyard in 1767. In January 1782 she was under the command of Captain Nicholas Charrington, and formed part of a 22- Ajax Frigate during the Indonesian ship Fleet commanded by Rear Admiral Confrontation – note that her number had been painted out. Sir Samuel Hood in the West Indies. She was to be one of the participants at the Battle of St Kitts, also known as the Battle of Frigate Bay. On January 24 Hood's ships were to the south east of the island of Nevis when the French 16-gun cutter Espion was spotted off the neighbouring island of St Kitts; Espion was soon captured and found to be carrying ammunition for Brimstone Hill fort on St Kitts. The following morning saw the French Fleet of 26 ships, under the command of Vice- Admiral Comte de Grasse, standing south of Basse Terre on the south western coast of St Ajax Frigate with either Albion or Bulwark. Kitts. Hood manoeuvred his ships towards the French with the apparent intention of engaging them; this led the French to move into more open waters. Ajax Frigate. A favourable - and fortunate - change in the wind gave Hood the opportunity to enter the anchorage of Frigate Bay, or Basse Terre, so recently vacated by Admiral de Grasse and once his vessels were in the desired formation they anchored. On January 26 the French made three separate and vigorous attacks on the British; each was successfully repulsed while the enemy vessels suffered severe damage and considerable casualties. During these attacks Ajax lost one man killed and had 12 wounded. Once the island of Nevis had surrendered to the French they were able to ship the guns to St Kitts to intensify the siege of the fortress of Brimstone Hill. Admiral Hood managed to remain at anchor in Frigate Bay for a further fortnight but in spite of having got the better of Admiral de Grasse he was unable to prevent the island surrendering to the French and after a month of siege the heavily outnumbered and isolated British garrison was forced to surrender on February 12 1782. Unable to assist in any way Admiral Hood sailed from St Kitts and joined forces with Admiral Rodney. A year later, the 1783 Treaty of Paris restored St Kitts and Nevis to British rule: Brimstone Hill was subsequently strengthened and never fell to an enemy force again - today it is a World Heritage Site. HMS Ajax was finally sold out of service in 1785 by which time she had accumulated four battle honours; in addition to the Battle of St Kitts she also fought at the Battles of Cape St Vincent, the Chesapeake and the Saintes. Stokers Mess - Recommissioning (Second) 1965. There are no names, so can anyone help? 10. 11.

As an ex-pipe smoker, this archive photograph of Captain Edward Desmond Bewly McCarthy D.S.O. R.N. (Captain of Ajax 22 April 1940 to November 1941) took my fancy. The caption with it reads: ”The Captain used to smoke a huge pipe and during attacks by German Dive Bombers he could often be seen striding up and down the upper bridge puffing out clouds of smoke, coughing like mad and giving sharp, last minute helm and engine orders. Just before the bomb struck, almost, Ajax would turn 'on a sixpence' and the bomb exploded yards away” I can just imagine the scene with the Captain 'making smoke'! Malcolm Collis

WHO SERVED YOUR MEALS? It is pleasing to see members study the Newsletter contents especially when this leads to a little exchange. Our Membership Secretary received a couple of emails from member, Don Birrell, Stoker Mechanic 1st class (aka Stores Tankie), in response to information on Bill Slader, included in the December 2011 Newsletter. “In your note in the recent news letter regarding Bill Slader C.P.O being canteen manager on the Ajax in 1946. I served on the Ajax until November 1946. We did not have a canteen. Each mess collected their main meals from the galley and tea was served from a hatch nearby. I was a member of the 4 man team, 2 seamen, 1 marine and a stoker. Our job was supplying the galley with their requirements from the stores and serving tea. The Stores Tankie (not an official rank), the man in charge of the team, was a marine by the name of Slim Birch who was a regular and sent home in July or August 1946 having spent less than 6 weeks in the UK since the beginning of the war. I then became in charge of the team until I left Ajax in November 1946” “On reflection, I presume that Bill Slader was probably in charge of what I would call the C.P.O's mess. They would have placed their order with the galley who would have added it to their list of requirements. Somehow the term Canteen makes one envisage a large operation, like I believe they have on modern ships” We think Bill and Don were probably on Ajax at the same time. Don was happy for us to include this snippet in the Newsletter as an insight into life on Ajax.