Dates: 1934 - 1949
HMS Ajax was a Leander class light cruiser which served with the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom during World War II. She was made famous for her part in the Battle of the River Plate, the Battle of Crete, the Battle of Malta and as a supply escort in the Battle of Tobruk.
Built at Vickers shipyard, Barrow-in-Furness, England, she was laid down on 7 February 1933, launched on 1 March 1934, and completed on 12 April 1935. Ajax served on the America and West Indies Station from completion, then joined the South American Division on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. There she sank the German merchant Olinda and intercepted the German merchant Carl Fritzen and the passenger ship Ussukuma. Both ships scuttled themselves to avoid capture.
She was the flagship of Commodore Henry Harwood’s Force G during the hunt for the Admiral Graf Spee. Ajax was hit seven times by the Germans but inflicted more damage on the Graf Spee during the Battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939. Ajax was also in Chile and assisted in relief work after an earthquake in Concepcion, and many years later surviving members of HMS Ajax were awarded medals from the Chilean Government for valued assistance.
Memories of HMS Ajax
Christmas HMS AJAX in 1975Written by Mike Barclay
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"World Cruise 1975 -76
Christmas day in Adelaide,Australia,
temperature 106 outside and about 35 inside the aircon!! was turned down for everyone to enjoy the party.
great day of booze and conversation."
, HMS Ajax, 1974 1977 in 1976Written by Ian Cunliffe
Contact this person >> "The ship went to Canada via Newfoundland, then Montreal just after the Montreal Olympic games and then on too Ajax Ontario just East of Toronto. The Ajax was under the command of Captain (Tubby) Squires who was very well respected by the ships company. We spent a week in Ajax Ontario. I met a young lady their named Mandy Hodges. We have now been married for 34 years."
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Ajax
" Hello there, I am a new member and I am looking to get in contact with anyone that took part in the Battle of the River Plate in 1939, either aboard the: HMS Exeter HMS AJAX HMS Achilles If anyone knows of anyone then please let me know, I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Alex "
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" Hello everyone, Sorry if you are reading this again, I posted it in the New Members section, but I thought more people would see it on this part of the forum. I am currently researching the Battle of the River Plate and am looking to get in contact with anyone that served in the battle, either ..."
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" Quoting: Alex Ford Hello everyone, Sorry if you are reading this again, I posted it in the New Members section, but I thought more people would see it on this part of the forum. I am currently researching the Battle of the River Plate and am looking to get in contact with anyone that ..."
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" Hi im trying to find a john leslie farrow born in liverpool in 12/6/1953, he married a patricia doyle in liverpool september 1972, he was a radio operator in the royal navy in the 1970s, i believe he was on the HMS AJAX,I have been in contact with some of his syblings but they havent seen him for ..."
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" Hi im looking for my father john leslie farrow born in liverpool 12/06/1953, he was a radio operator in the royal navy, i believe on the HMS AJAX, If anyone has any information about him could you please contact me. THANKS VICTORIA "
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