HMS Ajax 1942 / 43 - Help Needed

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Shiny, Oct 20, 2016.

  1. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    I've just been told a family story about a relative that was blown up on HMS Ajax at the battle of the river plate. Thanks to the veteran's association and the Ajax archivists I've found that's not quite right but that someone with his name did serve on HMS Ajax in 1942.

    I've done a quick google search and found that HMS Ajax was being refitted for most of 1942 but that on one of the first voyages she was blown up - on the 1st of Jan 1943. I'm guessing this may be the real incident behind the family story.

    What I'm wondering is where do I go next? I haven't done much research on WW2 and even less on Navy Personnel. Is there a was I can get more information about that incident or confirm he was on board?

    I don't know anything other than his name - Matthew Beck.

    Thanks for the help,

    Michael
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Not sure if this helps ........

    Losses HMS Ajax 13 December 1939 River Plate action

    Ajax, light cruiser
    BASHFORD, Cyril, Corporal, CH/X 959, killed
    BURRELLS, Albert, Marine, CH/X 1688, killed
    CLEMENTS, James, Marine, CH/X 654, killed
    FARLEY, William, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX 151605, killed
    FOLLETT, Harry, Sergeant, CH/X 688, killed
    FRANCOM, Ernest, Steward, C/LX 21835, killed
    LAMBARD, William, Marine, CH/X 1663, killed

    HMS Ajax losses 1 January 1943

    Ajax, bombing

    BENTLEY, John, Stoker 2c, C/KX 151399, MPK

    BURNS, James K, Stoker Petty Officer, C/KX 80887, MPK

    DEPLEDGE, Dennis S, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, C/MX 76658, MPK

    MCKENZIE, Benjamin, Stoker 2c, C/KX 153069, MPK

    MCKINNEY, Colin M, Marine, CH/X 106659, DOW

    TAYLER, William A, Ty/Stoker Petty Officer, C/KX 78904, MPK

    YORK, Charles E, Lieutenant (E), MPK

    Family History - Royal Navy personnel killed and died 1914-2008
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016
  3. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    You may get some information through contacting people at this website:
    HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association
    HMS AJAX

    EDIT: Just noticed you say you've contacted the veterans's association, which I assume is what I just posted So please ignore my two cents :)
     
  4. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Thanks a lot for the advice and help.
    I've just realised I didn't say he survived the war, I'm not sure if the family meant he was on board when it was bombed or if he was on board and wounded.
    Sorry I should have made that clear at the start.
    Michael
     
  5. MongoUK

    MongoUK Junior Member

    Hi Shiny,

    Whoch resources did you end up using to find the Ajax info?

    Have a pal whose grandad's headstone makes a point of stating that he served on it, thought I would see if I could dig anything up.

    Thanks
     
  6. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Hi MongoUK,

    Sorry for the late reply, I didn't get an email alert to say you had commented.

    I sent an email to the veterans association, the link is in comment 3 above (by Orwell1984) they replied and told me he isn't listed on the crew at the time of the battle but did join them a month or so after.

    They were very helpful and definitely worth getting in touch if you haven't already.

    Good luck and sorry again for the late reply.

    Michael
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Michael

    Looking at this page I dont see a Matthew Beck

    Royal Navy Casualties - killed and died - in World War 2 by Name - Be
    BECK, Anthony C, Able Seaman, C/JX 169866, Walney, 8 November 1942, ship loss, killed
    BECK, Edgar R, Ordnance Artificer 4c, C/MX 54016, Laforey, 30 March 1944, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Gordon L, Able Seaman, P/J 100121, Glowworm, 8 April 1940, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Harold J, Stoker 1c, C/KX 126703, Niger, 6 July 1942, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Harry, Ty/Leading Cook (O), D/MX 69005, Tynedale, 12 December 1943, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Harry J, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 109278 B 183391, Acasta, 8 June 1940, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Leonard F, Stoker 1c, C/KX128561, Arethusa, 18 November 1942, torpedoed, killed
    BECK, Moyle K, Leading Seaman, V/61565 (RCNVR), Trentonian (RCN), 22 February 1945, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Noel D, Lance Bombardier, RA, 4693720, 3 Maritime Regt, RA, 24 June 1944, MPK
    BECK, Norman A, Air Fitter (E), FAA/FX 75656, Glorious, 8 June 1940, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Richard A, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX 378265, Brontosaurus, 19 June 1943, drowning, killed
    BECK, Richard E, Leading Seaman, C/JX 133132, Imogen, 16 July 1940, ship loss, MPK
    BECK, Robert, Marine, P/X 3610, Aurora, 7 May 1940, bombing, killed
    BECK, Walter R, Able Seaman, RNVR, P/SD/X 1442, Excellent, 7 April 1941, Britannia, DOW

    Cant find him in here either
    UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 results for Matthew Beck

    TD

    HMS Ajax, British light cruiser, WW2
    1 9 4 3
    January
    1st Damaged by air attacks during escort of coastal convoy and later by 1,000lb bomb during air raid at Bone. Two boiler rooms put out of action and a third damaged.
    7th Towed to Gibraltar for temporary repair


    Would suggest obtaining service records

    There are some records for a Matthew Beck in the Navy for WW1 but suspect this isnt the same man
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2020
  8. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    This is the link for obtaining the service records.What you get depends on wether he died more than 25 years ago, and/or if you are immediate NOK, are willing to say you are, or can get immediate NOK permission. Be prepared for a long wait at the moment.
    Request records of deceased service personnel

    Death certificate/proof of death (and dob) is usually required for those that survived the war. With a little more detail of him many on this forum can usually trace a death cert record.
     
  9. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    TD, I believe that the Matthew Beck in question is stated to have SURVIVED, perhaps maybe wounded, or just one of the crew on board at the time....
    See Post #4
    So it's a Crew List we probably need, for a Beck who joined the ship after the River Plate action........... :)
     
  10. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I understand that just showing that he isnt listed as died

    Original post says he was 'blown up' nothing to say he died or survived - service records will show the details

    TD
     
  11. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    For information, Royal Navy ship's do not have crew lists as such that you can go and look up in the archives. Most you will find will be unofficial i.e. those made up by associations and would be subject to omissions. The RN used different ways to account for the crew but his service record should state if he served aboard and and when.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  12. RobiLiam

    RobiLiam New Member


    Hi Shiny,

    Are you still looking into your inquiries?
    My Dad was on Ajax at this time.
    Good info at:
    HMS Ajax, British light cruiser, WW2 (naval-history.net)
     

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