Battleship histories. Royal naval battleship HMS King George V, HMS Centurion, HMS Ajax and HMS Audacious. Battleship website dedicated to the history of HMS King George V, HMS Centurion, HMS Ajax and HMS Audacious from their launch to their participation in major wars also notice board for Naval Historians and enthusiasts and descendants of crew of HMS King George V, HMS Centurion, HMS Ajax and HMS Audacious.

 HMS Centurion was converted to a remote controlled target ship from April 1925 to June 1927. At the outbreak of the second world war she became a repair ship, then a dummy battleship (disguised as HMS Anson) in June 1942. She was eventually broken up in 1945 after being run aground as a breakwater at Normandy on 9th June 1944.

Displacement: 23,400   Speed: 21.0 knots   Compliment: 870 and up to 1,110 in 1916     Armament: Ten 13.5-inch guns in pairs and sixteen  4 -inch guns (twelve 4-inch guns after 1917).  Two 3 inch Anti Aircraft Gun replaced with 4-inch anti aircraft gun from 1917.

HMS King George V

HMS King George V, c.1919.

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HMS King George V in 1912

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HMS King George V.

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HMS King George V photographed 1915

HMS King George V in Rough Seas c.1914

HMS King George V. c.1911

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The Launch of HMS King George V.

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Some crew of the KGV.  Sent in by Brian Booth

More crew of the KGV.  Sent in by Brian Booth

Sent in by Brian Booth

Shipmates of HMS King George V c.1918.

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Crew members of HMS King George V.

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HMS Centurion

HMS Centurion, July 1924.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP329

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HMS Centurion, August 1924.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP330

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 HMS Centurion photographed in 1912

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HMS Centurion Photographed circa 1912

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HMS Centurion

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HMS Centurion being used as Target Ship

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HMS Centurion as target ship.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP331

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HMS Centurion as target ship, 1928.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP332

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HMS Centurion as target ship.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP333

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HMS Centurion as target ship, June 1929.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP334

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HMS Centurion with HMS Shikari, October 1937.

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HMS Centurion with HMS Shikari, October 1937.

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HMS Centurion as a target ship, Malta. 

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"HMS Centurion which is now to be used as a target for the British Atlantic fleet, following the scuttling of its predecessor.  The warship left Portsmouth recently for reconstruction and for removal of the guns and valuable parts of the superstructure."

 I have this old newspaper issued in Beaverton Ontario Canada.  The only reason why I hung onto it was my father was based from the said name. I was collecting photos for a book I was putting together. my Uncle served on the HMS Hood for a short stint, but was one of the fortunates that was not on board at the time of its destruction. I am sorry there was no date on the newspaper image so I can't help you there. 

Robin F. Marshall. 

HMS Centurion as a target ship.

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HMS Centurion.

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HMS Centurion as a target ship.

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HMS Centurion prepared as a target ship.

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Crew member of HMS Centurion enjoying Christmas at Malta, 1923.

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Crew of HMS Centurion at Malta, June 1923, in the quarters where they lived while the ship was in dock.

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HMS Centurion - Name History

The ninth “CENTURION” is a 10-gun turbine battleship, launched at Devonport in 1911.  She is of 25,000 tons, 30,000 horse-power, and 21 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 555ft., 89ft., and 28ft.

HMS Ajax

HMS Ajax, 1913.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP327

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HMS Ajax, c.1924.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP328

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HMS Ajax  photographed 1912

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HMS Ajax at Malta, c.1913.

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HMS Ajax 1905.

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HMS Ajax.

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Crew of HMS Ajax, 1920.

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Captain H.R. Crooke and his staff on HMS Ajax, 1921. 

Thanks to Mervyn Garton.

The names of those in the photo are as follows (from left to right):  Top Row : F. Edwrads, V. Barbara, S. Clift, F. Mills.  Middle Row : P. Spiteri, C. F. Holt, Captain H.R. Crooke, W. Culton, W. Borg.  Bottom Row : S. Walker, W. Tenge.

French Boxers aboard HMS Ajax, 1920.

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Crew of HMS Ajax - Concert Party, 1920.

Sent in by Colin Jones

Revolver Team, HMS Ajax c.1920/21.

Somerville, Todd, Moor, Stevenson.

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One of the King George V Class battleships in 1912.

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