Ajax Veterans Street Dedication: Reed Drive

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Street Name: Reed Drive
Name of Veteran: Frederick F. Reed 1919-October 12, 1940
Rank: Royal Marine Corporal
Ship Served: HMS Ajax
Date of Service on Ship: 1939 to 1940
Year of Visit/Dedication: July 2003
Veteran or Family Visit: n/a
Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: Yes
Died at Battle: No

Frederick Reed was husband to Elizabeth May Reed of Dalston, London, England. He died while serving HMS Ajax during action east of Malta, on October 12, 1940. He was only twenty one years old.

On October 12, 1940 HMS Ajax provided cover for the Convoy MF4 to Alexandria along with Fleet units. She was in close-range night action with HM Cruisers Orion, Sydney and York screened by HM Destroyers Nubian and Mohawk against an Italian convoy in the Gulf of Otranto. Two destroyers, Airone and Ariel were sunk and destroyer Artigliere was damaged. Ajax was hit by seven shells resulting in thirty five casualties, including thirteen killed.

In July 2003 a tree was planted in honour of Frederick Reed by Town Council under the Millennium Tree Planting Project.

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