HMS Ajax V111 Frigate
The bell off the Frigate Ajax was gifted to the Town of Ajax and hangs in Council Chambers. It is rung to signify the close of Chambers Sessions.
Engraved names within Frigate Bell of those Christened on board:
Toby George Ellison 27 Oct 1974
Christopher Edward Enock 28.8.1978
Kane Preston 2.7.78
Lee Patrick Welch 26.11.78
Cathryn Jane Dennis
Phillip John Hooper
Henry Alexander Bryan Tait
Kevin John Rowson 22.4.79
Neil Willcocks 13.5.79
Alexander Willcocks 13.5.79
Kelly Scholes 16.12.79
Annabelle Celia Grattan
Claire Herbert
Joanna Louise Darling 20.4.80
Stephen Paul Ray
Elaine Katrina Scottow
Katherine Elizabeth Louise Fisher 3 July 83
Cheryl Anne Stanton 8 Aug 82
Nigel John Lake
Trudi Amanda Watson
Leanna Witt 9 Dec 1973
Megan Witt 9 Dec 1973
Peter James Lunn 9 Dec 1973
Ian Robert Morley 9 Dec 1973
Assorted press cuttings and information about the 1976 HMS Ajax Frigate visit to Ajax Ontario - supplied by Crew member Dave Lear
Account of Commission deployment as recalled by Navigator Commander Jim McCoy & Lieutenant Douglas Hadler
................................................................................
Fourth Commission
2 August 1968 Chatham
Captains
D Hepworth / H R Keate
The below humorous account of the commission by
Ken (Sharky) Ward.
L.M.(E) HMS Ajax April 1968 — October 1970
...................................................................................................................................
Ikara Refit
16 August 1970 to 5 December 1973
Lieutenant-Commander R S Blackman
FINAL DISPOSAL
On 31/05/1985 Ajax paid off at Devonport. On 10/06/1985 she was Decommissioned for disposal and was inspected by representatives of the Thai Navy with a view to purchase but they decided that the ship was not in good enough condition and the sale fell through.
Ajax was then allocated to the role of static training ship at Devonport to replace the older Type 61 Frigate Salisbury and was used for the training of seamen in the handling of RAS gear and other deck equipment. She was eventually replaced by a converted former dockyard fuel lighter in 1987, which took the Frigate's name.
Having been Laid-Up until February of 1988, Ajax was finally towed to Millom in Cumbria for breaking. Although she arrived off the Duddon only a few days later, the Frigate was unable to cross the bar and was towed to Barrow for lightening and to await a suitable tide. Ajax finally arrived at Millom in late July 1988 for breaking.
The below images are from the inside of the bell - some are difficult to read but hopefully all are listed above.
