Ajax Veterans Street Dedication: Pollard Crescent

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Street Name: Pollard Crescent
Name of Veteran: George Ernest Pollard July 9, 1921-1984
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Ship Served: HMS Ajax
Date of Service on Ship: Jan. 1938 to Jan. 1940
Year of Visit/Dedication: n/a
Veteran or Family Visit: n/a
Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: Yes
Died at Battle: No

George Ernest Pollard was born on July 9, 1921 to parents Martha Jenni and William Henry Pollard in Enfield, Middlesex. He had several brothers and sisters. His mother eventually divorced his father and later married Mr. Arbury, who didn't want any of her children. Therefore, George and his siblings were placed into various children's homes. George, who was thirteen at the time, was sent to T.S. Arethusa, a children's home and Royal Navy training ship. It was moored on the River Medway opposite the Chatham Dockyard, Kent.

On November 9, 1936 George went to HMS Ganges, another training ship. He was posted to HMS Ajax on January 11, 1938 as Boy 1st Class. By July 9, 1939, his eighteenth birthday, he rose to the rank of Ordinary Seaman. He was a gunner aboard the Ajax and played his part in the Battle of the River Plate. His friend was killed next to him during the battle.

During his time serving HMS Ajax George developed diabetes and when the ship returned to Plymouth on January 31, 1940 he was transferred to the Royal Navy Hospital. After a short time he was discharged home and was officially invalided out of the Royal Navy on March 13, 1940.

When home George worked as a van driver and a volunteer fireman during the rest of the war. He married Margaret Norah Painter on June 3, 1944 when he was twenty-two and she was nineteen. They had two children; Barry, born November 15, 1946 and Susan, born July 5, 1950.

George worked for MK Electrics for many years, starting as a driver and working his way up to the position of Transport Manager.

George died on June 12, 1984 when he was only sixty two years old. Fortunately he lived to see all of his seven grandchildren. Margaret died on December 15, 2014 when she was 90 years old.
Complied by Susan Cooke (nee Pollard)

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