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H.M.S. Ajax & River Plate VeteransAssociation

NEWSLETTER

NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX

SEPTEMBER 2016

CONTENTS

Chairman's Remarks

Newsletter Editor's Remarks

Standard Bearer Report

Ajax Historic Wall – Judi Collis

Canada Trip Report

Vice Admiral Squires Obituary

News from the Town of Ajax – Colleen Jordan

Newspaper article – Roy Turner

Biber mini-sub article

The end of the rum tot

Ships bells – Clive Sharplin

Achilles Aircraft - Bruce Clements

Membership Secretary's Report

Archivist Update

H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

CHAIRMAN/SECRETARYPeter Danks104 Kelsey AvenueSouthbourneEmsworthHampshire PO10 8NQTel: 01243 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIPSECRETARYMrs Judi CollisThe Bewicks, Station RoadTen Mile BankNorfolk PE38 0EUTel: 01366 377945Mobile: 07736 [email protected]

ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/NEWSLETTER EDITORMalcolm CollisThe Bewicks, Station RoadTen Mile Bank,Norfolk PE38 0EUTel: 01366 [email protected]

www.hmsajax.org

COMMITTEEMEMBERJohn (Vic) Wilson9 Ashleigh AvenueEghamSurrey TW20 8LBTel: 01784 [email protected]

TREASURER/STANDARD BEARERAlf LarkinLime Kiln Cottage2 Easton LanePortlandDorset DT5 1BWTel: 01305 [email protected]

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

I hope all our members are keeping well and have found the hot weather to their liking. I have heard from many sources that the trip to Ajax to mark the 40th anniversary of the visit of the Frigate was an excellent occasion. Very many thanks to the organisers of this wonderful occasion on both sides of the water. I am really looking forward to reading all the articles. A message to those who went - it would be good to hear your stories - you have time to get them in for the December newsletter.

The next event is our Reunion Dinner on the 1st October (See below*). Please let us know your views on the way ahead for the forthcoming year. It is important we hear from you as we discuss the date and venues for future reunions. Was this year's procedure of having a Service in April and a later Reunion what you wanted?

I look forward to meeting new members at the Dinner which promises to be an enjoyable occasion at the Royal Beach Hotel. If you haven't booked, please do so as soon as possible. Telephone Number 02392 731281. Application form on the Association web site.

*2.30 Intrepid Suite - Talk on HMS Ajax by Alan Strachan MA Maritime History Associate Member

3.30 Questions with afternoon tea

4.30 Fearless Suite - AGM (Separate agenda sheet with this Newsletter)

6.30 The Ark Royal Suite - Up-spirits

7.00 The Ark Royal Suite - Dinner To include presentation of Danks Ridge Street and overview of Canada TripFollowed by Raffle (donations gratefully received)

Midnight Bar closes

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REMARKS

Life during this Newsletter period seems to have been taken up by working with Judi, Debbie Steer, Nigel Masters & Brenda Kriz (Ajax) to bring together the detail of the Canada trip. This edition is out later than I would wish in future but I thought I would hold off to get the trip report out. The report takes up a large chuck of the Newsletter so I've had to hold over some material but please do kept sending me any material you have, there will be lean times when I need it!

Any idea that we would get a rest on our return from Ajax is yet to be realised! It really is hard work pulling everything together as things don't just happen so from me to my fellow planning committee members a very big thank you for all that you did - note to self, keep my hand down next time!

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Reunion – again things do not just happen and a big thanks goes to Peter Danks for his hard work organising the Reunion.

STANDARD BEARER'S REPORTDuring this Newsletter period our Standard Bearer Alf Larkin has been busy with:25th April - Anzac Parade Weymouth esplanade.31st May - Battle of Jutland 100 years Portland Memorial16th June - HMS Sidon Memorial Portland (a Submarine that blew up in Portland Harbour in 1956 when they were loading torpedoes)19th June - Weymouth Veterans Parade Weymouth Seafront1st July - Battle of Somme Service in Easton Church Portland18th July Vice Admiral Squires' funeral Dorchester – Standard not required.26th August – Ajax Ontario Wall unveiling

28th August – Ajax Ontario March and Anchor rededication

Although Alf lives in Portland, Dorset, he is happy to travel to commitments if at all possible, particularly to represent the Association at members' funerals – it is always worth contacting as soon as possible to arrange.

TOWN OF AJAX HISTORIC MEMORIAL WALL

The first official function on our Canada visit was the unveiling of the Historic Memorial Wall at the Veteran's Point Gardens. Impressive doesn't begin to describe how fantastic it is with over 4500 names displayed. In the first wall there are all the names of those who served on HMS Achilles, HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax during the Battle of the River Plate with the end section listing those who visited on the Frigate in 1976. The second wall lists all those who served on HMS Ajax during the war with a few extras for pre and post war including my father-in-law Joe Collis who was on the first commission and Dennis Talbot who joined Ajax at the end of the war. Dennis was with us on this trip and several before.

The compiling of the list for the '76 visit proved to be very difficult as the ship changed crew at least three times during that commission and there is no definitive list for those on the '76 visit and sometimes memories from other crew members have become confused with the passing of time.

We realise that there are some errors on the wall and we know there are lots missing as on the newsreel we saw Captain Squires announced in his speech a ship's company of 260. I have agreed with Brenda Kriz from Ajax that we will work together to get as close as we can to an accurate list so that the names on that section can be rectified in the future. There are many pictures of the visit on display on social media and in your personal possession. Please Frigate members take time to look at them and identify as many people as possible. The pre and post '76 members may well recognise a face even though they were not on the visit.

The wall now provides a point of reference for visiting veterans and families should they not have a town street in their honour.

Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Judi Collis

H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

CHAIRMAN/SECRETARYPeter Danks104 Kelsey AvenueSouthbourneEmsworthHampshire PO10 8NQTel: 01243 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIPSECRETARYMrs Judi CollisThe Bewicks, Station RoadTen Mile BankNorfolk PE38 0EUTel: 01366 377945Mobile: 07736 [email protected]

ARCHIVIST/WEBMASTER/NEWSLETTER EDITORMalcolm CollisThe Bewicks, Station RoadTen Mile Bank,Norfolk PE38 0EUTel: 01366 [email protected]

www.hmsajax.org

COMMITTEEMEMBERJohn (Vic) Wilson9 Ashleigh AvenueEghamSurrey TW20 8LBTel: 01784 [email protected]

TREASURER/STANDARD BEARERAlf LarkinLime Kiln Cottage2 Easton LanePortlandDorset DT5 1BWTel: 01305 [email protected]

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

I hope all our members are keeping well and have found the hot weather to their liking. I have heard from many sources that the trip to Ajax to mark the 40th anniversary of the visit of the Frigate was an excellent occasion. Very many thanks to the organisers of this wonderful occasion on both sides of the water. I am really looking forward to reading all the articles. A message to those who went - it would be good to hear your stories - you have time to get them in for the December newsletter.

The next event is our Reunion Dinner on the 1st October (See below*). Please let us know your views on the way ahead for the forthcoming year. It is important we hear from you as we discuss the date and venues for future reunions. Was this year's procedure of having a Service in April and a later Reunion what you wanted?

I look forward to meeting new members at the Dinner which promises to be an enjoyable occasion at the Royal Beach Hotel. If you haven't booked, please do so as soon as possible. Telephone Number 02392 731281. Application form on the Association web site.

*2.30 Intrepid Suite - Talk on HMS Ajax by Alan Strachan MA Maritime History Associate Member

3.30 Questions with afternoon tea

4.30 Fearless Suite - AGM (Separate agenda sheet with this Newsletter)

6.30 The Ark Royal Suite - Up-spirits

7.00 The Ark Royal Suite - Dinner To include presentation of Danks Ridge Street and overview of Canada TripFollowed by Raffle (donations gratefully received)

Midnight Bar closes

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REMARKS

Life during this Newsletter period seems to have been taken up by working with Judi, Debbie Steer, Nigel Masters & Brenda Kriz (Ajax) to bring together the detail of the Canada trip. This edition is out later than I would wish in future but I thought I would hold off to get the trip report out. The report takes up a large chuck of the Newsletter so I've had to hold over some material but please do kept sending me any material you have, there will be lean times when I need it!

Any idea that we would get a rest on our return from Ajax is yet to be realised! It really is hard work pulling everything together as things don't just happen so from me to my fellow planning committee members a very big thank you for all that you did - note to self, keep my hand down next time!

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Reunion – again things do not just happen and a big thanks goes to Peter Danks for his hard work organising the Reunion.

STANDARD BEARER'S REPORTDuring this Newsletter period our Standard Bearer Alf Larkin has been busy with:25th April - Anzac Parade Weymouth esplanade.31st May - Battle of Jutland 100 years Portland Memorial16th June - HMS Sidon Memorial Portland (a Submarine that blew up in Portland Harbour in 1956 when they were loading torpedoes)19th June - Weymouth Veterans Parade Weymouth Seafront1st July - Battle of Somme Service in Easton Church Portland18th July Vice Admiral Squires' funeral Dorchester – Standard not required.26th August – Ajax Ontario Wall unveiling

28th August – Ajax Ontario March and Anchor rededication

Although Alf lives in Portland, Dorset, he is happy to travel to commitments if at all possible, particularly to represent the Association at members' funerals – it is always worth contacting as soon as possible to arrange.

TOWN OF AJAX HISTORIC MEMORIAL WALL

The first official function on our Canada visit was the unveiling of the Historic Memorial Wall at the Veteran's Point Gardens. Impressive doesn't begin to describe how fantastic it is with over 4500 names displayed. In the first wall there are all the names of those who served on HMS Achilles, HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax during the Battle of the River Plate with the end section listing those who visited on the Frigate in 1976. The second wall lists all those who served on HMS Ajax during the war with a few extras for pre and post war including my father-in-law Joe Collis who was on the first commission and Dennis Talbot who joined Ajax at the end of the war. Dennis was with us on this trip and several before.

The compiling of the list for the '76 visit proved to be very difficult as the ship changed crew at least three times during that commission and there is no definitive list for those on the '76 visit and sometimes memories from other crew members have become confused with the passing of time.

We realise that there are some errors on the wall and we know there are lots missing as on the newsreel we saw Captain Squires announced in his speech a ship's company of 260. I have agreed with Brenda Kriz from Ajax that we will work together to get as close as we can to an accurate list so that the names on that section can be rectified in the future. There are many pictures of the visit on display on social media and in your personal possession. Please Frigate members take time to look at them and identify as many people as possible. The pre and post '76 members may well recognise a face even though they were not on the visit.

The wall now provides a point of reference for visiting veterans and families should they not have a town street in their honour.

Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Judi Collis

Ajax visits Toronto 1976 (Alan Phillips)

2016 CANADA TRIP REPORT – Malcolm Collis

40th ANNIVERSARY of the visit of HMS AJAX to the TOWN of AJAX

Day 1 Tuesday 23rd August

After all the trip planning the departure day finally arrived. Alan & Diane Styth were already there on part two of their honeymoon and Lee & Elizabeth Hayward along with Elliot &Jake had gone out the day before to stay with friends. The main group, Alf Larkin, Mike Fox, Dan Sherren, Doug Harris, Nigel Masters, Dennis Talbot, Judi & I along with ten year old grandson Joseph, mustered in Terminal 2 at Heathrow for our on-time 1205 Air Canada flight. Glyn Seagrave was flying later the same day from Manchester.

With the time difference we landed mid-afternoon to be met by Debbie Steer and the hired 12 seater mini bus that thankfully had a very large luggage space for all our cases; the way to go next time.

A relaxed trip from the airport to Ajax on the tolled Freeway 407 was in stark contrast to fighting through the permanently congested 401 last time and we arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn, where we stayed in 2014, in good time to unpack and freshen up before Debbie collected us to take us to Councillor Pat Brown's house. Many of you will know Pat who has been a staunch supporter of the Association and once again she had laid on an informal garden reception for us. The Mayor Steve Parish and wife Rose where there along with Councillor Colleen Jordan and other Town staff and it was particularly lovely to meet up with dear friends Cherry and Reid Sevigny and Jackie Lumsden who again many of you will know from old – they were away early next day on holiday so it was great that we could catch up. It was Pat's birthday the next day and Nigel presented flowers and card signed by all along with a rendition of “Happy Birthday”. It had been a long day so we departed at a sensible time.

Day 2 Wednesday August 24

Any thoughts that we were on holiday were shattered when the alarm went off early to allow a quick breakfast before mustering at 0800 for departure to Niagara Falls with Debbie. Richard and Ron also offering their services as drivers to give everyone a little more room. We stopped off at Hamilton for an organised tour around HMCS Haida, the last remaining Corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy 1943 until 1963, which the sailors amongst us in particular found very interesting. Lunch in Grimsby followed. Interestingly many of the towns around are named after English towns and we mused whether when they were choosing a name they turned to one of the workers and enquired where they came from!

Arriving at Niagara we off-loaded at the Keg Fallsview Hotel where we were dining later, with the added attraction that they parked the vehicle for free as we had a reservation. Down the nearby inclined funicular railway took us to the top of the Falls and saved a walk. The Falls were spectacular, as always, as most made our way along to catch the Hornblower boat that takes you up close to the Falls. Nobody volunteered to go on the zip wire! Queueing for the tickets I got the exact money ready, $19.95 each, only to find it was somewhat more: the refrain 'not including tax' became a standing

HMCS Haida at HamiltonAt Pat Brown’s (centre)

joke for the rest of the week. The queues moved quickly and we soon boarded with past knowledge coming in handy to get a spot right at the front. However, as we set off we drifted backwards and confusion reigned when I asked for confirmation from the sailors present that we were at the sharp end; we were! It was a really hot day so getting soaked, even in our supplied capes, was refreshing. Back at the Keg Fallsview the group formed one large table for dinner with a backdrop of the Falls lit up by coloured lights as darkness fell. We arrived back late at Ajax after a long, tiring but most enjoyable day.

Niagara Falls from the inclined railway On board The Hornblower

Day 3 Thursday 25th August

We knew that the week's programme that Debbie, Nigel, Judi and I had put together was going to be a busy one so my alarm was set early to allow Joseph and me a swimming session, sounds very energetic but I actually spent much of the time in the spa!

0900 Debbie arrived for the first duty of the day, taking Judi, Joseph & me, along with two of Debbie's children, Greg and Julia, to the Go station for us to catch the scenic train in to downtown Toronto. The rest travelled with Debbie in the mini-bus and we all met up at the Mariposa quay for a cruise on Lake Ontario. We joined up with the group just as the excitement died down; Glyn Seagrave had recognised Gerry Francis, former England Football captain and a photo call was arranged leading to the now famous inadvertent photograph of a pair of Gerry's legs plus one of Nigel's. The story was to be re-told many-a-time, embellished exponentially to the beers consumed: I won't even begin to repeat Glyn's story of why he didn't take the England manager's job but it involves racing pigeons!

CN Tower from the Lake Cruise with (L to R) Judi & Malcolm Collis; Alan & Diane Styth

L(R) to R(L) to R(R) Allegedly: Gerry Francis, Gerry Francis; Nigel Masters

Ajax visits Toronto 1976 (Alan Phillips)

2016 CANADA TRIP REPORT – Malcolm Collis

40th ANNIVERSARY of the visit of HMS AJAX to the TOWN of AJAX

Day 1 Tuesday 23rd August

After all the trip planning the departure day finally arrived. Alan & Diane Styth were already there on part two of their honeymoon and Lee & Elizabeth Hayward along with Elliot &Jake had gone out the day before to stay with friends. The main group, Alf Larkin, Mike Fox, Dan Sherren, Doug Harris, Nigel Masters, Dennis Talbot, Judi & I along with ten year old grandson Joseph, mustered in Terminal 2 at Heathrow for our on-time 1205 Air Canada flight. Glyn Seagrave was flying later the same day from Manchester.

With the time difference we landed mid-afternoon to be met by Debbie Steer and the hired 12 seater mini bus that thankfully had a very large luggage space for all our cases; the way to go next time.

A relaxed trip from the airport to Ajax on the tolled Freeway 407 was in stark contrast to fighting through the permanently congested 401 last time and we arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn, where we stayed in 2014, in good time to unpack and freshen up before Debbie collected us to take us to Councillor Pat Brown's house. Many of you will know Pat who has been a staunch supporter of the Association and once again she had laid on an informal garden reception for us. The Mayor Steve Parish and wife Rose where there along with Councillor Colleen Jordan and other Town staff and it was particularly lovely to meet up with dear friends Cherry and Reid Sevigny and Jackie Lumsden who again many of you will know from old – they were away early next day on holiday so it was great that we could catch up. It was Pat's birthday the next day and Nigel presented flowers and card signed by all along with a rendition of “Happy Birthday”. It had been a long day so we departed at a sensible time.

Day 2 Wednesday August 24

Any thoughts that we were on holiday were shattered when the alarm went off early to allow a quick breakfast before mustering at 0800 for departure to Niagara Falls with Debbie. Richard and Ron also offering their services as drivers to give everyone a little more room. We stopped off at Hamilton for an organised tour around HMCS Haida, the last remaining Corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy 1943 until 1963, which the sailors amongst us in particular found very interesting. Lunch in Grimsby followed. Interestingly many of the towns around are named after English towns and we mused whether when they were choosing a name they turned to one of the workers and enquired where they came from!

Arriving at Niagara we off-loaded at the Keg Fallsview Hotel where we were dining later, with the added attraction that they parked the vehicle for free as we had a reservation. Down the nearby inclined funicular railway took us to the top of the Falls and saved a walk. The Falls were spectacular, as always, as most made our way along to catch the Hornblower boat that takes you up close to the Falls. Nobody volunteered to go on the zip wire! Queueing for the tickets I got the exact money ready, $19.95 each, only to find it was somewhat more: the refrain 'not including tax' became a standing

HMCS Haida at HamiltonAt Pat Brown’s (centre)

joke for the rest of the week. The queues moved quickly and we soon boarded with past knowledge coming in handy to get a spot right at the front. However, as we set off we drifted backwards and confusion reigned when I asked for confirmation from the sailors present that we were at the sharp end; we were! It was a really hot day so getting soaked, even in our supplied capes, was refreshing. Back at the Keg Fallsview the group formed one large table for dinner with a backdrop of the Falls lit up by coloured lights as darkness fell. We arrived back late at Ajax after a long, tiring but most enjoyable day.

Niagara Falls from the inclined railway On board The Hornblower

Day 3 Thursday 25th August

We knew that the week's programme that Debbie, Nigel, Judi and I had put together was going to be a busy one so my alarm was set early to allow Joseph and me a swimming session, sounds very energetic but I actually spent much of the time in the spa!

0900 Debbie arrived for the first duty of the day, taking Judi, Joseph & me, along with two of Debbie's children, Greg and Julia, to the Go station for us to catch the scenic train in to downtown Toronto. The rest travelled with Debbie in the mini-bus and we all met up at the Mariposa quay for a cruise on Lake Ontario. We joined up with the group just as the excitement died down; Glyn Seagrave had recognised Gerry Francis, former England Football captain and a photo call was arranged leading to the now famous inadvertent photograph of a pair of Gerry's legs plus one of Nigel's. The story was to be re-told many-a-time, embellished exponentially to the beers consumed: I won't even begin to repeat Glyn's story of why he didn't take the England manager's job but it involves racing pigeons!

CN Tower from the Lake Cruise with (L to R) Judi & Malcolm Collis; Alan & Diane Styth

L(R) to R(L) to R(R) Allegedly: Gerry Francis, Gerry Francis; Nigel Masters

Back on land the next organised trip was around the Steam Whistle Brewery at 1500 allowing the group to do its own thing in the meantime. Greg, Julia, Glyn, Judi, Joseph and I opted for the CN Tower. Joseph initially had said he wouldn't want to go but had mellowed but still said he wouldn't go on the glass floor. Off we went up the very fast elevator to the first observation platform at 346 metres; as we exited the lift operator pointed out to Joseph that he had been standing on the glass floor section of the lift! We all managed to walk out on the glass floor section, me for a lot longer than the last time and my bribe must have worked because Joseph even laid down for his photo call. However, he wasn't too keen when we went up to the top platform at 447 metres. From here the views are stunning especially as we could look down to the platform where we had been below and see the daring/mad people below who had paid $195 + tax to be hung over the edge face down for a few seconds: Glyn was musing aloud that he would have like to have done it but …

The Brewery tour involved free samples so most were happy especially as Steam Whistle had become the beer of choice. We did, however, end up with a few more beers for as we went to leave the heavens opened and were forced to retire back to the bar to try and sit it out. The clouds shrouded the Tower and skyscrapers and the thunder rattled off the buildings and we all got wet making our way later to the nearby Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball game against the LA Angels; fortunately the roof was closed. Ian Darbyshire made the game having just flown in. The Canadians with us understood what was going on whilst the rest of us just took in the atmosphere and theatre of it all. We must have jinxed them for although they are heading up the league they lost 6 – 3. A dry journey home was a bonus.

The CN Tower The Rogers Centre from the CN Tower

Blue Jays game filling up Unveiling of the Town’s Historic Wall

Day 4 Friday August 26

We lunched at Port Perry meeting up with Ian and Mandy Cunliffe and Mandy's mum Mary Hodges. Mandy's dad had been Al Hodges the Town Clerk who had been involved in the original Frigate trip 40 years ago. Ian was then a young Ajax sailor who fell in love and later married Mandy and by great coincidence today was their 38th anniversary. Back to the hotel to get ready for the first event of our

three official days where we met up with Lee & Elizabeth Hayward and Elliot 4 & Jake 1 who had transferred to the hotel the evening before. Everyone was very smart as we travelled to Harwood Veteran's Point Gardens where a wall containing over 4500 names of all those who had served at The River Plate, as well as the names of those who had served during the war in Ajax, plus those who were on the Frigate for the 1976 visit, was unveiled. A great honour for all those mentioned and I was particularly touched that my father, Joseph Collis (after whom grandson is named) who had served on the first commission, was a special inclusion as was Dennis Talbot. I was also delighted that our chairman Peter Danks appeared on the list for the Frigate even though he was an earlier commission; they had explanatory asterisks. It was my pleasure to present to the Town on behalf of the Association a bench near to the wall. The bench was later put to good use by Pokemon hunters! Nigel Masters then presented “The Tubby Squires Award” to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Harwood, accepted by Lieutenant (Navy) Ross Mounsteven. Nigel had personally commissioned the award following the recent death of Vice Admiral Squires who had been the '76 Ajax Captain,

The Hercules C130 was bang on time for its fly-pass. An informal picnic allowed time for all to circulate and socialise.

'Magwyers' restaurant was spelled a little too differently to Joseph's'McGuire' for even Glyn to try and get a free meal that evening but we all enjoyed the food and company that included Mayor Steve Parish, Pat Brown, Colleen Jordan and another supportive Councillor, Joanne Dies.

Day 5 Saturday August 27

Today was street dedication day so down to the Town Hall to board the Town bus.

First stop was a visit to Collis Lane to show Joseph his great grandfather's street that had been dedicated in 2014, before moving on to London Lane. Many of you will know Jim, HMS Exeter River Plate, as he unveiled the NMA memorial in 2014 and also helped out at this year's NMA service in April. London Lane was in the very early stages of construction so the Mayor presented Jim's street sign in the sales office, received by Dennis Talbot who read out Jim's acceptance speech.

Larkinly Lane (Alf Larkin) and Masterson Lane (Nigel Masters) were next but as their streets were still fields again the presentation of street signs was also performed in that sales office. Foxtrot Lane (Mike Fox) and Coates-of-arms Lane were nearby but not yet at the sales office stage so these two signs were presented under a gazebo with Nigel Masters accepting Fred Coates' sign and reading out a message from Fred.

Refreshments at the Kinsman Heritage Centre included 'special announcements', the presentation of street signs to those who are to get streets but not yet allocated. Seagrave Street, Stythinson Street (Alan Styth), Cunliffe Street and Danks Ridge Street (Peter Danks); were presented (the 'street' ending may change should the developer chose to do so). I accepted Peter's sign and read out his message.

Next stop was rather special; there was already a Hunter Drive, unbeknown to Stuart 'Jock' Hunter who had crossed the bar some years ago and now grandson Lee Hayward, a serving CPO, was there to dedicate it. Lee contacted us a few weeks ago and hurriedly joined the Association and arranged for the family to visit and I think it is fair to say he and Elizabeth were bowled over by the experience, especially when friends and a large group of residents gathered to join proceedings.

Last stop of the day was to dedicate an existing street, Darbyshire Court in honour of Ian Darbyshire. Again a group of residents appeared and one in particular stepped forward and asked to say a few words. Vanessa Falcon delivered a heartfelt thanks to all that served and expressed her pride at living in a street with such a close connection to HMS Ajax especially at the rather mature tree stood in her front lawn. She then invited us to take cold refreshments. For me this final act of the day epitomises the warmth and regard shown by all Ajax residents towards the HMS Ajax's crew: I was to refer to this kindliness several times in later speeches.

Back on land the next organised trip was around the Steam Whistle Brewery at 1500 allowing the group to do its own thing in the meantime. Greg, Julia, Glyn, Judi, Joseph and I opted for the CN Tower. Joseph initially had said he wouldn't want to go but had mellowed but still said he wouldn't go on the glass floor. Off we went up the very fast elevator to the first observation platform at 346 metres; as we exited the lift operator pointed out to Joseph that he had been standing on the glass floor section of the lift! We all managed to walk out on the glass floor section, me for a lot longer than the last time and my bribe must have worked because Joseph even laid down for his photo call. However, he wasn't too keen when we went up to the top platform at 447 metres. From here the views are stunning especially as we could look down to the platform where we had been below and see the daring/mad people below who had paid $195 + tax to be hung over the edge face down for a few seconds: Glyn was musing aloud that he would have like to have done it but …

The Brewery tour involved free samples so most were happy especially as Steam Whistle had become the beer of choice. We did, however, end up with a few more beers for as we went to leave the heavens opened and were forced to retire back to the bar to try and sit it out. The clouds shrouded the Tower and skyscrapers and the thunder rattled off the buildings and we all got wet making our way later to the nearby Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball game against the LA Angels; fortunately the roof was closed. Ian Darbyshire made the game having just flown in. The Canadians with us understood what was going on whilst the rest of us just took in the atmosphere and theatre of it all. We must have jinxed them for although they are heading up the league they lost 6 – 3. A dry journey home was a bonus.

The CN Tower The Rogers Centre from the CN Tower

Blue Jays game filling up Unveiling of the Town’s Historic Wall

Day 4 Friday August 26

We lunched at Port Perry meeting up with Ian and Mandy Cunliffe and Mandy's mum Mary Hodges. Mandy's dad had been Al Hodges the Town Clerk who had been involved in the original Frigate trip 40 years ago. Ian was then a young Ajax sailor who fell in love and later married Mandy and by great coincidence today was their 38th anniversary. Back to the hotel to get ready for the first event of our

three official days where we met up with Lee & Elizabeth Hayward and Elliot 4 & Jake 1 who had transferred to the hotel the evening before. Everyone was very smart as we travelled to Harwood Veteran's Point Gardens where a wall containing over 4500 names of all those who had served at The River Plate, as well as the names of those who had served during the war in Ajax, plus those who were on the Frigate for the 1976 visit, was unveiled. A great honour for all those mentioned and I was particularly touched that my father, Joseph Collis (after whom grandson is named) who had served on the first commission, was a special inclusion as was Dennis Talbot. I was also delighted that our chairman Peter Danks appeared on the list for the Frigate even though he was an earlier commission; they had explanatory asterisks. It was my pleasure to present to the Town on behalf of the Association a bench near to the wall. The bench was later put to good use by Pokemon hunters! Nigel Masters then presented “The Tubby Squires Award” to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Harwood, accepted by Lieutenant (Navy) Ross Mounsteven. Nigel had personally commissioned the award following the recent death of Vice Admiral Squires who had been the '76 Ajax Captain,

The Hercules C130 was bang on time for its fly-pass. An informal picnic allowed time for all to circulate and socialise.

'Magwyers' restaurant was spelled a little too differently to Joseph's'McGuire' for even Glyn to try and get a free meal that evening but we all enjoyed the food and company that included Mayor Steve Parish, Pat Brown, Colleen Jordan and another supportive Councillor, Joanne Dies.

Day 5 Saturday August 27

Today was street dedication day so down to the Town Hall to board the Town bus.

First stop was a visit to Collis Lane to show Joseph his great grandfather's street that had been dedicated in 2014, before moving on to London Lane. Many of you will know Jim, HMS Exeter River Plate, as he unveiled the NMA memorial in 2014 and also helped out at this year's NMA service in April. London Lane was in the very early stages of construction so the Mayor presented Jim's street sign in the sales office, received by Dennis Talbot who read out Jim's acceptance speech.

Larkinly Lane (Alf Larkin) and Masterson Lane (Nigel Masters) were next but as their streets were still fields again the presentation of street signs was also performed in that sales office. Foxtrot Lane (Mike Fox) and Coates-of-arms Lane were nearby but not yet at the sales office stage so these two signs were presented under a gazebo with Nigel Masters accepting Fred Coates' sign and reading out a message from Fred.

Refreshments at the Kinsman Heritage Centre included 'special announcements', the presentation of street signs to those who are to get streets but not yet allocated. Seagrave Street, Stythinson Street (Alan Styth), Cunliffe Street and Danks Ridge Street (Peter Danks); were presented (the 'street' ending may change should the developer chose to do so). I accepted Peter's sign and read out his message.

Next stop was rather special; there was already a Hunter Drive, unbeknown to Stuart 'Jock' Hunter who had crossed the bar some years ago and now grandson Lee Hayward, a serving CPO, was there to dedicate it. Lee contacted us a few weeks ago and hurriedly joined the Association and arranged for the family to visit and I think it is fair to say he and Elizabeth were bowled over by the experience, especially when friends and a large group of residents gathered to join proceedings.

Last stop of the day was to dedicate an existing street, Darbyshire Court in honour of Ian Darbyshire. Again a group of residents appeared and one in particular stepped forward and asked to say a few words. Vanessa Falcon delivered a heartfelt thanks to all that served and expressed her pride at living in a street with such a close connection to HMS Ajax especially at the rather mature tree stood in her front lawn. She then invited us to take cold refreshments. For me this final act of the day epitomises the warmth and regard shown by all Ajax residents towards the HMS Ajax's crew: I was to refer to this kindliness several times in later speeches.

Nigel Masters & Alf Larkin proudly pointingout their streets

Dennis Talbot receiving Jim London’s signfrom the Mayor

Mike Fox receives his street sign Alan Styth, Ian Cunliffe & Glyn Seagrave proudly show off their signs along withPeter Danks’

R to L: Lee & Elizabeth Hayward with Jake;Elliot in front of tree with friends left

The Mayor with Ian Darbyshire

Ready for Inspection

Evening entertainment was in the form of a BBQ at Debbie's with son Terry cooking great tasting beef and chicken. Steve made Joseph's week by taking him in his Dodge Charger stopping off at the local classic car gathering in a nearby parking lot. Ian Darbyshire produced a bottle of Pusser's Gunpowder rum for all to have a tot and at 54.4% proof it lived up to its name!

A great time was had by all and some of the lads entertained us with some sea shanties. The busy schedule was catching up on some and we drifted back to the hotel by various forms of transport.

Dennis Talbot & Doug Harris in their Jeep

Dennis Talbot & Mike Fox lay wreaths at theFrigate anchor

Terry Michaels receives his Legion de Honour

Day 6 Sunday August 28

The final day of the Town events saw us down at the Town Hall for a tour before joining the public ice cream social prior to the march. The visiting able sailors lined up behind Alf with the Association's Standard, amongst the marching bands, for inspection by the Mayor; he also inspected Dennis and Doug in their private carriage, a military Willys Jeep.

The march ended outside the Royal Canadian Legion building where the Frigate anchor lays. The short re-dedication ceremony concluded with Mike Fox and Dennis Talbot laying two wreaths. The Town invited me to present the French D-Day Legion de Honour to Terry Michaels Ajax River Plate who lives in Pickering. The Legion provided a formal lunch followed by a short display of cutlass prowess by a small group of Sea Cadets to whom I presented Battle of the River Plate first day covers. Following a few words by the Mayor he presented the Association with a Town flag. I thanked the Town for their tremendous support and friendship both past and present and donated items from Gordon Humpleby and Robbie Robinson with Nigel Masters presenting his signed '76 cap and tally. Lee Hayward presented his grandfather's cap tally and 'crossing the line' certificate. Alf Larkin had managed to obtain from the family a rather splendid silver vase presented to Captain Squires by the crew when he left Ajax, which he now donated to the Town. Ian Cunliffe had commission a superb painting of the Ajax from his professional artist brother many years ago but now thought its rightful place was in the Town Hall; he also handed out to the Association Visitors smaller versions of the painting produced by a graphic designer, another brother.

Ian Darbyshire and Nigel Masters presented a magnificent inscribed carriage clock, with batteries, to the person who had made it all happen, Debbie Steer.

Mike Fox thanked the Legion for their usual generous hospitality and presented them with various items and Ian Darbyshire presented his CPO uniform. Dan Sherren also made presentations to the Legion and Sea Cadets.

The squad gave an eyes right for the saluting party & later they gave eyes right to the group of young “bomb” girls!

Nigel Masters & Alf Larkin proudly pointingout their streets

Dennis Talbot receiving Jim London’s signfrom the Mayor

Mike Fox receives his street sign Alan Styth, Ian Cunliffe & Glyn Seagrave proudly show off their signs along withPeter Danks’

R to L: Lee & Elizabeth Hayward with Jake;Elliot in front of tree with friends left

The Mayor with Ian Darbyshire

Ready for Inspection

Evening entertainment was in the form of a BBQ at Debbie's with son Terry cooking great tasting beef and chicken. Steve made Joseph's week by taking him in his Dodge Charger stopping off at the local classic car gathering in a nearby parking lot. Ian Darbyshire produced a bottle of Pusser's Gunpowder rum for all to have a tot and at 54.4% proof it lived up to its name!

A great time was had by all and some of the lads entertained us with some sea shanties. The busy schedule was catching up on some and we drifted back to the hotel by various forms of transport.

Dennis Talbot & Doug Harris in their Jeep

Dennis Talbot & Mike Fox lay wreaths at theFrigate anchor

Terry Michaels receives his Legion de Honour

Day 6 Sunday August 28

The final day of the Town events saw us down at the Town Hall for a tour before joining the public ice cream social prior to the march. The visiting able sailors lined up behind Alf with the Association's Standard, amongst the marching bands, for inspection by the Mayor; he also inspected Dennis and Doug in their private carriage, a military Willys Jeep.

The march ended outside the Royal Canadian Legion building where the Frigate anchor lays. The short re-dedication ceremony concluded with Mike Fox and Dennis Talbot laying two wreaths. The Town invited me to present the French D-Day Legion de Honour to Terry Michaels Ajax River Plate who lives in Pickering. The Legion provided a formal lunch followed by a short display of cutlass prowess by a small group of Sea Cadets to whom I presented Battle of the River Plate first day covers. Following a few words by the Mayor he presented the Association with a Town flag. I thanked the Town for their tremendous support and friendship both past and present and donated items from Gordon Humpleby and Robbie Robinson with Nigel Masters presenting his signed '76 cap and tally. Lee Hayward presented his grandfather's cap tally and 'crossing the line' certificate. Alf Larkin had managed to obtain from the family a rather splendid silver vase presented to Captain Squires by the crew when he left Ajax, which he now donated to the Town. Ian Cunliffe had commission a superb painting of the Ajax from his professional artist brother many years ago but now thought its rightful place was in the Town Hall; he also handed out to the Association Visitors smaller versions of the painting produced by a graphic designer, another brother.

Ian Darbyshire and Nigel Masters presented a magnificent inscribed carriage clock, with batteries, to the person who had made it all happen, Debbie Steer.

Mike Fox thanked the Legion for their usual generous hospitality and presented them with various items and Ian Darbyshire presented his CPO uniform. Dan Sherren also made presentations to the Legion and Sea Cadets.

The squad gave an eyes right for the saluting party & later they gave eyes right to the group of young “bomb” girls!

10. 11.

Vice Admiral Robert 'Tubby' Squires – Captain of HMS Ajax 1976 – 77 (Daily Telegraph)

Vice Admiral Robert “Tubby” Squires, who has died aged 89, helped to commission Britain's first nuclear-powered submarine.

In 1960, when he was appointed first lieutenant of Dreadnought, there were no nuclear-qualified submariners, and Squires, two doc tors , a cons t ruc tor o ff ice r and Dreadnought's future captain, Peter Samborne, began their training in the newly created nuclear physics department of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

There, “Jason”, a small nuclear reactor, was installed in the cellars of the 17th-century former royal palace in south London.

Next, Squires attended the US Navy submarine school. Admiral Hyman G Rickover, the autocrat in charge of the USN's nuclear programme, had ruled that no British officer was to set foot in one of “his” submarines, but Squires and two chief petty officers briefly joined USS Skate in 1962, shortly after she returned from having surfaced at the North Pole.

Squires moved on to USS Swordfish for a happy and instructive nine months while the submarine deployed from her base in New London, Connecticut, through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbour. Squires made many friends for life among his American contemporaries.

Returning to Britain, he stood by Dreadnought while she was building at Barrow-on-Furness. She was the seventh ship of her name and was powered by an American S5W reactor, a design made available as a result of a US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement. Her launch by the Queen, symbolically on Trafalgar Day, October 21 1960, owed much to the drive of the First Sea Lord, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, and his relationship with the US Navy's Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke, who had overruled Rickover.

The successful sea trials of Britain's first nuclear-powered warship, and its commissioning on April 17 1963, owed much to loyalty, efficiency and reliability of Squires, and to his leadership, tact and cheerfulness.

A soldier's son, Robert Risley Squires was born at Farnham Royal on February 11 1927, and educated at Summer Fields, Geelong Grammar School and Eton College. He entered the Britannia Royal Naval College, then still at its wartime home of Eaton Hall in Cheshire, in 1944, and was awarded the King's telescope on passing out.

He underwent training in the destroyers Wizard and St James and battleships Anson and King George V, joining the last of those in Tokyo Bay on the evening of the signing of the Japanese surrender. He saw the Far East, Australia and South Africa, and, while a midshipman, was recognised as an outstanding young officer.

In 1948, attracted by the prospect of early command in a small unit, he volunteered for submarines and was fortunate to be taught his trade over the next two-and-a-half years in the submarine Tabard by several war-experienced and much-decorated submariners. They, in turn, recognised him for his brains, initiative and energy.

He was not so lucky in his next boat, spending what he called “a formative year” with a captain “with whom I could agree almost nothing”.

Squires passed the Submarine Command Course (the “perisher”) in 1955, and his first command was the submarine Aurochs, the mantle of command falling easily on his shoulders. Aurochs was long overdue for refit and dogged with engineering problems, and Squires' task was to steam his boat to Singapore, where, he recalled, she “sank thankfully on to the blocks of the floating dock”.

Day 7 Monday August 29

Whitby Yacht Club had generously offered to entertain us today. En-route we stopped off at Talbotshire Street for a quick photo shoot before continuing to the club.

The boys gather in Talbotshire Street

We were welcomed by Ken Armes, who had arranged the day, and the Commodore and shown around the club grounds. Back in the club house we were each allocated one of the three boats, Lost Buoys, Mad Hatter & Don't Ask, before making our way over to the pontoons to climb aboard. We cruised along Lake Ontario to Oshawa where Ajax had docked in '76. Whilst the surroundings may have changed the actual quay looked as if it hadn't and many happy memories were brought back as those that had been here before, reminisced. The Rev. Deacon Derek E. Skelton on board Mad Hatter delivered a short memorial service over the radio before Alf Larkin laid a wreath on the waters of Lake Ontario.

The Oshawa quayside where Ajax docked in1976

Alf Larkin laying wreath on Lake Ontariowaters

Back in the clubhouse we were wined and dined at the conclusion of which Alf thanked the Club for putting on a splendid day enjoyed by all. The presentation of the Frigate pencil drawing, HMS Ajax plaque and HMS Whitby plaque and cap & tally by Alf was particularly pertinent as his first ship was HMS Whitby.I presented the three skippers, Jim, John & Frank with River Plate ties.

Day 8 Tuesday August 30Despite the packed itinerary the week had flown by and it was with heavy hearts that we mustered for the final time in the hotel foyer with our cases. Debbie was there by midday and a private presentation was made. The first consignment of later fliers were deposited at Debbie's house while the two earlier ones, Glyn & Nigel were taken straight to the airport where Nigel bumped in to his footballer friend again. Well done to Judi who had made a superb job of wrapping up the street names that wouldn't fit in suitcases (most of them) together with the Standard saving us the additional expense of another excess bag. We all checked in electronically and the street names and standard thankfully went through the x-ray machine without challenge – it had so much duct tape around it and would take an age to unwrap for inspection.Our flight was on time as we took off to the spectacle of the lights of Toronto heading home.I'm sure I speak for everyone who went; we all had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were overwhelmed by the warmth of our reception. As I said to the Mayor, plenty of forthcoming anniversaries can be engineered so expect a return trip in the not too distant future.Thank you Town of Ajax.

Malcolm Collis