H.M.S. Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2012 CONTENTS Chairman/Editor's Remarks Visit to Montevideo Presentation to Frank Burton Archivist Report Membership Secretary Report Missing Royal Navy Life AGM Agenda NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. Honorary Freeman of Rhyl CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST It is with huge pleasure that I include an article describing NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis the very prestigious honour of becoming an Honorary Peter Danks ‘Glenmorag’ Freeman of Rhyl which was bestowed on Roy Turner. I am 104 Kelsey Avenue Little Coxwell sure that all members of the Association send Roy our Southbourne Faringdon sincere congratulations on this tremendous honour. Emsworth Oxfordshire SN7 7LW Hampshire PO10 8NQ Tel: 01367 240382 From the Daily Post, June 22nd, 2012: Tel: 01243 371947 Mobile: 07736 929641 A retired businessman who has given over 50 years’ service to the [email protected] [email protected] community has become the first Honorary Freeman of Rhyl. The Town Council decided to bestow the honour on 84-year-old Roy TREASURER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Turner as a ceremony on Wednesday night, under new powers recently Alf Larkin Mrs Judi Collis given to town and community councils. 5 Cockles Way ‘Glenmorag’ Weymouth Little Coxwell, Faringdon Born in Stoke-on-Trent, he moved with his family to Rhyl in 1938 and Dorset DT4 9LT Oxfordshire SN7 7LW attended the local county school. In 1946 he joined Royal Navy cruiser Tel: 01305 775553 Tel: 01367 240382 ship HMS Ajax. Roy Turner [email protected] Mobile: 07736 929641 Back in Rhyl, Mr Turner established a flooring contractors business and he became active in the life [email protected] of the community. He established Rhyl Social Centre, the County School’s Old Pupils’ Association, was a youth leader www.hmsajax.org with Rhyl Boy’s club, and a founder member of the North Wales branch of the Variety Club of Great Britain, the Rhyl branch of the Royal Naval Association and Rhyl and District Operatic and Dramatic CHAIRMAN/EDITOR'S REMARKS Society. He was elected to Rhyl Urban District Council in 1953 and served for 21 years, being chairman in 1958. He also served on Flintshire County Council for six years and was chairman of the local panel I am grateful to members who have sent me articles for the newsletter. Keep your articles of Inland Revenue Commissioners for 37 years. For 50 years he was a governor of Christchurch coming because without them, we would not have a newsletter. Primary School, 30 of them as chairman. Mr Turner, of Grosvenor Avenue, Rhyl, has been married to his wife June for 57 years and they have News of Members two daughters and one son. The committee have heard that some of our members have not been too well during the At the ceremony, he was presented with a town crest and certificate by the Mayor, Cllr Bill Tasker. summer. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you who have been unwell, a speedy Mr Turner commented: “I am highly conscious of the significance of this honour and I am very proud. recovery back to full health and we do hope we shall see you at our Reunion if at all possible. I never dreamed I would get anything like this.” Annual Reunion Two years ago he visited the town of Ajax near Toronto, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of River Plate in which the HMS Ajax was involved. All of the town’s streets are named after members of the This year's reunion will be held on the 3rd and 4th October. If you have not yet submitted crew, including one called Turnerbury. your application for the dinner and accommodation please do so as soon as possible. If you have dietary concerns, please mention this when submitting your form to the hotel. We shall be holding “Up Spirits” prior to Dinner and we have an interesting speaker in Armed Forces Day – Saturday 30th June attendance. Our Church Service will be conducted by the Dean of Rochester Cathedral. An invitation was received from Canvey Island Town Council for members to attend their annual event. Details were circulated to members in their area. It would be interesting to hear Annual General Meeting of any members took part in the celebrations on 30th June in their home town. The AGM will be held at the King Charles Hotel after the Church Service and the agenda is attached with this newsletter. Presentation to Frank Burton In July, I received a story from Mrs Jenny Payne who is the Activities/Client Welfare Association Merchandise supervisor at the Hollies Care Home, Cambridge, where Frank Burton now lives. The If anyone wishes to order Association Merchandise – details of which will soon be on the web Director of the Home, found a framed picture of HMS AJAX. Tristan Latchford, a student site – please contact Alf Larkin as soon as possible and he will aim to bring it to the Reunion, who was on work's experience was given an exercise to do with the picture. Tristan made a thus saving you postage costs and ensuring prompt delivery. speech and then presented Frank with the picture. Tristan is a pupil at Perse School, Cambridge, has completed his GCSEs and enjoys music, currently studying Grade 8 violin Letter to Members concerning funding and Grade 8 voice. He is also trying to compose several pieces to be performed next year. The Committee wish to express their sincere thanks to members who have responded to the Tristan also enjoys canoeing and is a keen athlete. Tristan hopes to be a doctor in the future. letter concerning funding and other matters regarding future events within the Association. He says his experience at the Hollies was of great benefit to his perception of the service Your support is very much appreciated. provided. 2. 3. H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. Honorary Freeman of Rhyl CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST It is with huge pleasure that I include an article describing NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis the very prestigious honour of becoming an Honorary Peter Danks ‘Glenmorag’ Freeman of Rhyl which was bestowed on Roy Turner. I am 104 Kelsey Avenue Little Coxwell sure that all members of the Association send Roy our Southbourne Faringdon sincere congratulations on this tremendous honour. Emsworth Oxfordshire SN7 7LW Hampshire PO10 8NQ Tel: 01367 240382 From the Daily Post, June 22nd, 2012: Tel: 01243 371947 Mobile: 07736 929641 A retired businessman who has given over 50 years’ service to the [email protected] [email protected] community has become the first Honorary Freeman of Rhyl. The Town Council decided to bestow the honour on 84-year-old Roy TREASURER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Turner as a ceremony on Wednesday night, under new powers recently Alf Larkin Mrs Judi Collis given to town and community councils. 5 Cockles Way ‘Glenmorag’ Weymouth Little Coxwell, Faringdon Born in Stoke-on-Trent, he moved with his family to Rhyl in 1938 and Dorset DT4 9LT Oxfordshire SN7 7LW attended the local county school. In 1946 he joined Royal Navy cruiser Tel: 01305 775553 Tel: 01367 240382 ship HMS Ajax. Roy Turner [email protected] Mobile: 07736 929641 Back in Rhyl, Mr Turner established a flooring contractors business and he became active in the life [email protected] of the community. He established Rhyl Social Centre, the County School’s Old Pupils’ Association, was a youth leader www.hmsajax.org with Rhyl Boy’s club, and a founder member of the North Wales branch of the Variety Club of Great Britain, the Rhyl branch of the Royal Naval Association and Rhyl and District Operatic and Dramatic CHAIRMAN/EDITOR'S REMARKS Society. He was elected to Rhyl Urban District Council in 1953 and served for 21 years, being chairman in 1958. He also served on Flintshire County Council for six years and was chairman of the local panel I am grateful to members who have sent me articles for the newsletter. Keep your articles of Inland Revenue Commissioners for 37 years. For 50 years he was a governor of Christchurch coming because without them, we would not have a newsletter. Primary School, 30 of them as chairman. Mr Turner, of Grosvenor Avenue, Rhyl, has been married to his wife June for 57 years and they have News of Members two daughters and one son. The committee have heard that some of our members have not been too well during the At the ceremony, he was presented with a town crest and certificate by the Mayor, Cllr Bill Tasker. summer. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you who have been unwell, a speedy Mr Turner commented: “I am highly conscious of the significance of this honour and I am very proud. recovery back to full health and we do hope we shall see you at our Reunion if at all possible. I never dreamed I would get anything like this.” Annual Reunion Two years ago he visited the town of Ajax near Toronto, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of River Plate in which the HMS Ajax was involved. All of the town’s streets are named after members of the This year's reunion will be held on the 3rd and 4th October. If you have not yet submitted crew, including one called Turnerbury. your application for the dinner and accommodation please do so as soon as possible. If you have dietary concerns, please mention this when submitting your form to the hotel.