HMS Ajax - Ajax Canada @townofajax My Grandad and The Battle of the River Plate
- Si Biggs
- Dec 13, 2017
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Ajax, Ontario, Canada was named after HMS Ajax after the Battle of the River Plate and the streets are named after every member of the crew, including Biggs Drive, after my Grandfather.
Cdr Reginald Charles Biggs DSO, DSC, RN
Reginald joined the Royal Navy in January 1920 as a Boy 2nd Class and immediately began his training onboard HMS Ganges.
He attended gunnery school in 1933 and by May 17, 1935, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant.
After approximately two years serving HMS Resolution, he joined HMS Ajax in 1938 bound for the South American and West Indies Station. In December 1939 he saw action in the famous Battle of the River Plate.
Reginald received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of the River Plate and the Daily Herald from February 23, 1940 printed the following;
“In charge of a turret, (he) dealt very well with the failure of one ammunition hoist, and by his zeal and energy saw to it that his guns fired all they could in the time”.
Reginald was promoted to Commander on August 17, 1942.
He was Lieutenant onboard the Minesweeper HMS Hussar from January 1942 to mid-1944 and Lieutenant Commander of the Destroyer HMS Offa, from August 1944 to January 1945.
While a Lieutenant onboard HMS Hussar he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), which was given to officers of the Royal Navy who had performed acts of gallantry while under enemy attack.
As a Commanding Officer onboard the Offa he was Mentioned in Dispatches.
The last ship Reginald served during the War was HMS Montclare, a destroyer/submarine depot ship serving in SE Asia. He retired on July 27, 1954.
Reginald died on October 8, 1978 in Weymouth, Dorset. He was seventy-four years old.
The Town of Ajax
What an amazing memorial! Do you live there please let me know!
The town of Ajax, in Ontario, Canada, was named after the cruiser following the Battle of the River Plate.
The town also has streets named after every member of the ship's company, such as Hobson Avenue, and Harwood Avenue, which is the town's main north-south street. Many street signs in the town bear the silhouette of the ship. The silhouette signifies the street being named after part of the ship's company, and the ship's anchor rests in front of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
This is one of my two Grandfathers who both served in the Royal Navy during WWII. One died before my Brother or I was born I wish I could have asked them more about their service.
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