HMS Ajax (F114)

HMS "Ajax" (F114) was a Sclass|Leander|frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built by the famous Cammell Laird company of Birkenhead. "Ajax" was launched on 16 August 1962 and commissioned on 10 December 1963. She was originally intended to be named HMS|Fowey, and laid down as a "Rothesay" class, but instead became part of Batch 1 of the Leander class.

In 1964, "Ajax" deployed to the Far East, becoming leader of the 24th Escort Group. It was a long deployment, and "Ajax" did not return to the UK until 1968. In 1970, "Ajax" became the Gibraltar guard ship, a required deployment at that time due to the tense fears of invasion by General Franco. Later that year, "Ajax" began modernisation that lasted to 1973, having her 4.5 inch turret replaced by an Ikara anti-submarine missile system. GWS22 SeaCat "(2 x 4)" was fitted aft and 40 mm guns were mounted amidships.

In 1974, "Ajax" assisted in the evacuation of British citizens after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In 1976, while on a visit to Canada, "Ajax" visited the town of Ajax, Ontario, which had been named in honour of her predecessor which had been a Leander class cruiser, which had seen service at the Battle of the River Plate during the Second World War. The 'new' "Ajax" was granted the freedom of the city of Ajax.

In 1977, "Ajax" underwent a refit at Devonport Dockyard. In 1979, "Ajax" deployed to the Mediterranean. In 1980, she underwent a refit at Gibraltar which was completed in 1981. That year, "Ajax" became leader of the 1st Frigate Squadron. She did not take part in the 1982 Falklands War, but was deployed as Persian Gulf guard ship. She participated in further deployments that culminated in the highlight of her final year in 1985, when she escorted the HMY "Britannia", which had a number of the Royal Family on a tour of Italy. She was decommissioned 31 May, then replaced HMS|Salisbury|F32|6 as a static training ship at Devonport. On 3 August 1988, "Ajax" arrived at Millom, Cumbria to be broken up.

"Ajax's" anchor is now located in Ajax, Ontario.