Joy and Jim Oxlade - Ipswich

 I was so pleased to see the story about the town of Ajax, Ontario.  Ever since we returned from Canada I have been going to write to you with this story, and of course the family connection.  I am afraid it was one of those ‘roundtoit’ things.  Now the majority of it has been done I can do my bit.

Jack Oxlade was either a Boy Seaman or an Ordinary Seaman in HMS Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate.  As you are well aware now the streets in Ajax are named after the crew.  I attach a picture of Oxlade Crescent and various pictures of the street sign.  We were given an actual street sign, which we still have, by the Ajax Council, we were supposed to be planting a tree on the street, however, we returned to live in the UK before the spring planting.  Jack was the last Gunnery Officer at Pembroke before it closed.  He was a Lt Cdr when he retired but we only have a picture of him as a Lieutenant.  Sadly he passed away in 2001.

I have also attached a picture of my husband Jim, holding the sign, he was also a Ganges boy and served for 20 years; he was a PO TASI.

Jack Oxlade as a Boy Seaman at 'Ganges', 1939.	Jim Oxlade with the street sign from Ajax, Ontario	Lt Cdr Jack Oxlade - the Last Gunnery Officer at HMS Pembroke before closure. No picture available at his Lt Cdr rank.