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Those known to have sailed in HMS Ajax during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Bond Wilfred John. Sgt.
- Crosby Frederick Arthur. A/CQMS. (d.28th May 1941)
- Dennis Les. Gnr.
- Garnett Robert John. Able Sea.
- Jarvis Leonard. AB.
- Leggett Edward. AB.
- Morden William.
- Pike William Jordan. Able Sea. (d.15th Nov 1942)
- Reid William Joseph. Pte.
- Scott Peter Sloan. Stok.
- Wiles Frederick.
- Wood DSM Bertram. Stoker 1/Cl. (d.1942)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
Records of HMS Ajax from other sources.
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Want to know more about HMS Ajax? There are:5 items tagged HMS Ajax available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Stok. Peter Sloan Scott HMS Ajax My father Peter Scott was a stoker in HMS Ajax.
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A/CQMS. Frederick Arthur Crosby 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.28th May 1941)  Fred Crosby was born in Barton-le-Willows Yorkshire on 14th March 1915 and grew up in the surrounding area of Howsham, Claxton and Bossal. He was the son of Frederick James Crosby, who had seen action in the First World War, and Louisa Stephenson, one of a family of 23 children.
He married Doreen Plater Wood in Portsmouth in 1935, and was almost immediately shipped out to the Sudan, leaving Doreen expecting a child. He never came home again nor ever met his daughter, named Joan.
At the outbreak of World War 2, he was sent with his battalion to Cairo and was then shipped to Crete on HMS Ajax in November 1940. Alongside the Black Watch and the Leicestershire Regiment, Fred and his mates in the 2nd Yorks and Lancs were tasked with protecting Heraklion Airfield. On 28th of May 1941, he was killed during an attack by the Germans.
He is now buried and remembered at Suda Bay Commonwealth War Grave, alongside many of his regiment. His name is also registered on a war memorial plaque on the wall of his local church at Bossal in Yorkshire.
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AB. Edward Leggett HMS Pembroke Edward Leggett served with the Royal Navy in WW2. He was originally posted to HMS Ajax but was then posted to HMS Pembroke and never sailed on Ajax. He was a sonar operator.
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Sgt. Wilfred John Bond No.40 Commando Wilfred Bond was born in 1911 and joined the Royal Marines, as a rating aged 18, in 1930 with the Chatham Division.
In 1931 Wilfred joined the Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship HMS Valiant as part of a Royal Marine detachment and in September that year took part in the Invergorden Mutiny.
In 1932 Wilfred joined D59 HMS Ceres (C Class Cruiser) and sailed in the Mediterranean until the end of 1933.
Then in 1935 Wilfred trained as a gunner aboard HMS Iron Duke then that same year joined D46 HMS Dragon (D Class Light Cruiser) Wilfred first crossed the line (Equator) in HMS Dragon on December 29th 1935 at position 37o 53’ West and sailed with the American and Caribbean Squadron until 1937. In 1938 back in the UK Wilfred joined 22 HMS Ajax (Leander Class Light Cruiser) on the start of its second commission. Wilfred headed for Bermuda the West Indies and South America. During 1939 on another cruise he undertook rescue work in Chile after an earthquake and returned to Bermuda via the Panama Canal. Later in the 1939 HMS Ajax headed for South America again.
War was declared and HMS Ajax hunted for commerce raiders. On the 13th December the cruiser squadron fought the German heavy cruiser Admiral Graf Spee the first naval battle of WW2. Family oral history records that Wilfred was on AA guns at the start of the battle and then was called on to replace a shell-shocked marine in X-turret. X-turret, a little later, is knocked out by a shell and Wilfred is wounded in the leg by the hit. Later another shell hits the main mast and kills the shell-shocked marine who had replaced Wilfred at his AA gun position. Damaged, the Graf Spee retreated to Uruguay and is later scuttled ending the Battle of the River Plate.
When HMS Ajax returns to the UK in early 1940, Wilfred leaves the ship and joins Royal Marine Brigade. Later in 1940 Wilfred is part of the unsuccessful attempt to capture Dakar from the Vichy French.
In 1942 Wilfred, as part of Royal Marine A Commando, takes part in the raid on the port of Dieppe, France. Many of his comrades are killed or wounded when trying to land at White beach.
In July 1943 as part of 40 Commando, he takes part in three successive beach assaults and heavy fighting over a period of four months at Sicily, Porto San Venere and Termoli. At Termoli his unit is counter-attacked with tanks and mobile artillery of the 16th Panzer Division. In November 1943 Wilfred suffers from shell-shock and is in hospital for 6 months.
From 1944 To the end of the war Wilfred joins Holding Operational Commando and rises to Company Sergeant Major.
In 1946 Wilfred joins the British occupation forces at Trieste. Wilfred finally retires from the Royal Marines after 22 years in 1952 as a Sergeant.
Wilfred is commemorated in the town of Ajax, Ontario, Canada. He and another comrade from HMS Ajax have Bondsmith Street named after them.
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William Morden HMS Ajax William Morden served on HMS Ajax and was present at the Battle of the River Plate.
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Gnr. Les Dennis HMS Ajax I have a written document by gunner Les Dennis of HMS Ajax about her role in the battle with the Graf Spee on 13th of December 1939. I also have an audio tape narrated by Les Dennis which I think should be preserved for historical purposes. Is there still in existance the HMS Ajax Association and any survivors of the Battle.
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Able Sea. William Jordan Pike HMS Ajax (d.15th Nov 1942) My relative, Bill Pike served on the HMS Ajax, HMS Warspite and lost his life on the HMS Avenger in November 1942. He spent time at the Chatham Naval Barracks. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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Stoker 1/Cl. Bertram Wood DSM HMS Ark Royal (d.1942) My grandfather, Bertram Wood DSM, served in the Royal Navy from 1924 until April 1942, when he was killed. He served in HMS Ark Royal, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Pembroke, HMS Chatham, HMS Repulse, HMS Renown, HMS Ramillies, HMS Valiant, HMS Pegasus, HMS Ajax and HMS Havock.
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Frederick Wiles HMS Ajax My uncle Frederick Wiles served on HMS Ajax in the Second World War. He married Lottie and later called his white boxer Ajax.
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Pte. William Joseph Reid 2nd Btn. Yorks & Lancs Rgt. My father, Joe Reid, did not talk much about his wartime experiences except for praising the Australians, Kiwis and soldiers from the Black Watch. I have always wanted to know what my Dad did in the war and would like to correspond with anyone who knew him or the movements of his regiment.
He joined up as a regular in August 1933 with the 2nd Yorks and Lancs after being in the TA for three years. I know he was in India in 1937 and Sudan when the WW2 broke out. I also know that he went over to Crete in 1941 but had to evacuate for obvious reasons. It's really this period that I am at a loss to. He got badly shot on HMS Ajax and was captured by the Germans. He spent the rest of the war in Stalag XV111a in Germany as POW 6301.
My father sadly died in 1988 and had a good life but if any of you remember him and would like to get in touch, please feel free to email me.
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