The HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association
The Association is open to all who served on the Ajax Cruiser 1935-1948; the Ajax Frigate 1963-1985; served at The Battle of the River Plate on any of the ships; or are relatives or friends of those who did so, or indeed those who served on any previous Ajax and those connected to Ajax and residents of Ajax, Ontario.
Subscriptions are currently £12 per year and £18 for family membership. You will receive the quarterly Newsletter, sent electronically unless you request a hard copy, and are also on the Newsletters Page, general circulations, an invitation to attend, with guests, the annual reunion and the AGM, be updated with any significant events and receive invitations to join us on trips.
The Association was formed in the mid-‘60s when about a dozen ex-crew members attended a River Plate reunion in Plymouth. They were so disappointed with the event that they decided to form their own Association. Eric Smith was ‘volunteered’ to progress this and subsequently became the Founder and Chairman. The first reunion was held in 1965 in West Ham with 7 officers and 40 ratings ‘plus a few wives’ attending.
In later years, due to many River Plate Veterans ‘Crossing the Bar’ (dying), membership was opened up to those Ajax crew who served on the 1940-43 commission. Later still, those who served on any of the Ajax commissions and the later Frigate were eligible to join.
We currently have over 200 Members and Associates spread over the globe.
PRIMARY ASSOCIATION OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of the association is to generate a sense of belonging and comradeship in order to combat loneliness and social isolation through shared experience and effective networking of an ageing veteran membership and to maintain and promote 'esprit de corps' amongst the veterans, family and friends. The average age of members is in their early seventies and a number find themselves widowed and alone. The committee is managed by veterans and regular contact is made to those feeling isolated, this was accelerated during the pandemic with regular phone calls. We have a dedicated welfare officer (Membership Secretary) on the committee and we have a hardship category for those struggling financially to allow continued membership. Members pay £12 a year for association membership, the cost has not increased in a decade, members receive a quarterly newsletter and invites to an annual reunion and remembrance events. The membership fee also helps to pay for the continued costs of a memorial at the National Arboretum.
Newsletters, website and the Welfare officer have signposts to assist veteran members that include:
SSAFA
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
Help for Heroes
UK Armed Forces and military veterans charity | Help For Heroes
Royal British Legion
Royal British Legion | Armed Forces Charity
The Veterans Charity
https://careaftercombat.org
