HMS Ajax was the third of four King George V-class dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Navy in the early 1910s. After commissioning in 1913, she spent the bulk of her career assigned to the Home and Grand Fleets. Aside from participating in the failed attempt to intercept the German ships that had bombarded Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby in late 1914, the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 and the inconclusive action of 19 August, her service during World War I generally consisted of routine patrols and training in the North Sea.
Ajax's crew painting ship, Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, 1921
Ajax's forward main-gun turrets in 1918
Ajax at anchor, about 1913
The 2nd Battle Squadron in Scapa Flow, 1918. Agincourt is nearest to the camera with Erin behind her. The other three are, in no order: King George V, Centurion and Ajax. Note the kite balloon over one of the more distant battleships.
King George V-class battleship (1911)
The King George V-class battleships were a group of four dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Navy (RN) in the early 1910s that were sometimes termed super-dreadnoughts. The sister ships spent most of their careers assigned to the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Home and Grand Fleets, sometimes serving as flagships. In October 1914, Audacious struck a mine and sank. Aside from participating in the failed attempt to intercept the German ships that had bombarded Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby in late 1914, the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 and the inconclusive action of 19 August, the surviving ships' service during the First World War generally consisted of routine patrols and training in the North Sea.
Audacious underway, about 1914
Right elevations and plans for the Orion- and King George V-class battleships from Brassey's Naval Annual 1915, before the mast was moved forward of the funnel in the latter ships.
Ajax's forward main-gun turrets in 1918
Centurion at anchor, June 1919. The director is visible on the roof of the spotting top as are the flying-off platforms on 'B' and 'X' turrets.