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Town of Ajax Street Dedication Lax Avenue William (Bill) Lax Chief Petty Officer HMS Ajax 1938 to 1940 June 1997 Niece Pinky Hill and her husband Ron on behalf of widow Olive Lax Yes Died at Battle: No 1911-Dec. 26, 1992 Street Name: Name of Veteran: Rank: Ship Served: Date of Service on Ship: Year of Visit/Dedication: Veteran or Family Visit: Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: William (Bill) Lax was born to John and Hannah Lax in 1911 in Horden, Durham, England. John Lax was a coal miner and he and Hannah had nine children in total (4 girls and 5 boys). Bill grew up in Horden and joined the Royal Navy from school at the age of fifteen. Bill served on three ships during his naval career. His first was HMS Warspite, then HMS King George V, and finally HMS Ajax. He was remembered by fellow sailors as Second Captain of the Top and in charge of `B' Turret. Bill married Olive May Ventham from Gravesend, Kent and they had three children; William John (1942), Andrea Bill at 27 years old Margaret (1944), and James Douglas (1950). Bill left the Royal Navy in 1947 and became an inspector for `Cruelty to Children' in Richmond, London, England. He worked in that capacity until 1955, when he and his family moved to Tonbridge Kent, where they operated a pub for many years. Bill at `The Star and Garter' pub he operated with Olive Bill Lax died in 1992 at the age of 81. He predeceased his wife Olive who died in 2008. Bill with Admiral Dreyer at the Union Jack Club for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle Bill and Olive, Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1987