Ajax Veterans Street Dedication: Plowman Drive

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Description

Street Name: Plowman Drive
Name of Veteran: Rex Vernon Plowman Feb. 18, 1923-May 28, 1941
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Ship Served: HMS Ajax
Date of Service on Ship: 1939 to 1941
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

Rex Vernon was born to parents Reginald George and Lilian Plowman of Stockwell, London on February 18, 1923. He died on May 28, 1941 during a bombing at the evacuation of Crete while serving onboard HMS Ajax. He was only 18 years old.

In the spring of 1941 the Ajax sailed to assist the evacuation of allied troops from Crete and was damaged in an air attack on passage with HMS Dido, HMS Orion, HM Destroyers Decoy, Jackal, Imperial, Hotspur, Kimberly and Hereward. Ajax withdrew but the damage was found to be less serious so she took passage to Heraklion to evacuate the troops.

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

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