Help get one of Canada's new navy ships named HMCS AJAX

On June 11, 2008, Mayor Steve Parish sent a letter to The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, requesting that one of Canada’s planned new navy ships be named “HMCS Ajax” in honour of Ajax’s role during the Second World War.

The Mayor would like to follow his initial letter up with a collection of letters from Ajax residents describing why they think one of Canada’s new ships should be named  “HMCS Ajax”. All submissions will be sent to the Minister’s office in late August.

Letters can be sent by mail to the attention of Mayor Steve Parish (65 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax, ON L1S 2H9), via e-mail (steve.parish@townofajax.com) or online.

Sample letter 

DATE

Mayor Steve Parish
65 Harwood Avenue South
Ajax, ON L1S 2H9

FOR

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay

Dear Minister:

I am a resident of Ajax, Ontario. I am writing you to request that one of Canada’s new navy ships be named "HMCS Ajax" in honour of Ajax’s role during the Second World War.

Your attention to this request would be very much appreciated.

Yours very truly,

SIGNATURE

A Town was born...
Prior to the Second World War, Ajax was made up of several small settlements and farms. It wasn’t until the founding of Defence Industries Limited (DIL), a munitions plant, that Ajax came to be. The plant and its employees played a major role in the Allied victory during the Second World War. As a result, when the DIL facility needed a post office name to handle the large volume of mail being sent to its employees and families, they adopted the name Ajax in honour of the HMS Ajax which served with distinction during the Battle of the River Plate (1939). After the war, many DIL employees settled in Town, which was ultimately incorporated under the name Ajax in 1955. 

Recognizing our past...
When you look at a street sign in Ajax, you are looking at history: most of our streets have been named after the officers and men that served on the HMS Ajax, HMS Exeter and HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate. When crew members or families visit our Town to see the streets named after them, a tree planting is done, and a plaque is placed at the foot of the tree. The Town also maintains a strong connection with the veterans of HMS Ajax through the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association, based in England. In October 2009, a 70th Anniversary Reunion is being planned in Ajax.

For more information, please contact Christie McLardie, Manager of Communications, 905-619-2529, ext. 362 or 905-999-8254.