Rough Radio

More names and a few photos. (*The BCD refers to the various British Columbia Business Directories. Their published data may be a year out of date.)

Cameron Cameron was a commercial land line telegrapher and was the first operator at Prince Rupert in 1910. He did not last long and was replaced by Jim Harker.
Carver, C.E. Larry Reid's book has Carver listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator. He was the first operator at the small station on Lennard Island in 1923. This station closed down three years later.
Chisholm, Alex Alexander Chisholm (b.1891 d.1971) was an antenna rigger for the west coast stations. Gene Aitkens' diary mentions him visiting Estevan Point in July 1934.
Clarke, Bill Clarke joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office. Bowerman lauds him and Guy Bennett for the early clearing the land and creating gardens at Pachena.
Cole, A. C. Landline telegraph operator at Estevan in 1918 and 1923---(BCD*).
Cole, Bob Stationed at Estevan Point in the 1930's. Occupation unknown.
Cooper, Bill Bill was an operator at Gonzales. Born in India of English parents. He led a chequered career, being deep sea as an operator for 18 months and worked at station KYA in San Francisco. He appears in Aitkens' photo album so Bill is probably from the 1930's. Wife's name Helen (Cuthbert).
Cooper, F. F. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator.
Cornish, Fred H. Cornish came from the UK around 1904 and originally worked as an assistant to Lee de Forest down in the States. He moved to Canada in 1911 and signed on with the Wireless Service. Fred is operating at Estevan Point in 1926 (BCD) and at Bull Harbour in 1927 to 1932---(BCD). He worked as an operator at Bull Harbour and apparently had a problem with "the drink". He passed away in Vancouver when taking some leave. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05/1923.
Corriveau, Hector F. Listed as an operator at Estevan Point in 1923 & 1924 and at Bull Harbour 1926 & 1927---(BCD*). Operator at Point Grey in the 1920-23 period, according to Bowerman's notes. He was operating at the Estevan Point Wireless station in 1923 when Bowerman arrived there to be the Officer In Charge. Some time after 1922 he was the OIC of the Pachena DF Station. Larry Reid's book mentions him as an operator on strength November 05, 1923.
Cox Joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office.
Crow, L. B. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923.
Crosby, Thomas Davis (Bill?) Crosby (b.1884) came to Canada in 1911 from the UK. He was an experienced Royal Navy operator. In 1911 he is listed in the census as an operator at Pachena. Crosby is remembered as having a sharp temper.
Crowe, Len B. (Crow?) Crowe was an operator at the downtown Vancouver station (VAB) in 1923. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923. In 1940 he replaces Sid Jackson as the head of the radio inspection office in Kamloops but by late 1941 this office was closed and Crowe went to Vancouver Radio.
Curtis, Edward P. The 1938 and 1939 BCD* list Ed as an operator at Estevan Point. For a time in the 1960's he was the OIC at Spring Island LORAN station. Ed ended his career as a radio technician in the Victoria Electronics shop sometime around 1970.
Daniels, G. F. In 1924 Daniels was the first operator at the newly commissioned station on Merry Island. He transferred out in 1927 and was replaced by Pike. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923.
Daniel, Jim Came from the UK and joined the Service during the 1911-14 period. In the 1920-23 period he was at Point Grey. Shortly after 1923 he relieved Meiss at Estevan Point. He is at Estevan Point in 1924, 1926& 1927---(BCD*). Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923 . In 1939 he is noted as a wireless operator at the Cape Lazo Wireless Station and at that time was in the process of transferring to the downtown Vancouver station VAB.
Davies, Peter Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923. Unknown what stations.
Davis, James Davis (b.1858 England) was the lightkeeper on Triangle Island from 1910 to 1913. His wife Rose (b.1878) and their three daughters (Violet-b.1900, Ella-b.1902 and Mona-b.1905) accompanied him. The daughters were schooled by the radio operators. In later years Mona married Tom Morrison (not an operator) who went on to become the District Marine Agent for British Columbia in the 1940's.
Dawe, Herb Joined as a radio technician in the 1911-12 period. Dawe is listed as the radio electrician who installed Alert Bay wireless. Alert Bay opened in the spring of 1913. Dawe was also an operator on Triangle Island and is shown at the left in a photo taken in 1914 on his departure to Digby Island. In July of 1915 Herb installed synchronous rotary spark at Triangle Island. In 1922 Dawe helped install the higher powered transmitting equipment at the Digby Wireless and remained on as the station OIC. In the following months he came down with tuberculosis, took extended sick leave, and eventually retirement.
Dawe, H. R. May be the same as the person above. Listed as an operator at Estevan Point in 1923. (BCD*).
Dawson, Frank Dawson was an operator at the Triangle station in 1914.
De Winter De Winter immigrated from Ireland in 1903. He worked with the Canadian Marconi Company and around 1910 joined the Dominion Wireless. He was the OIC at Estevan Point Wireless Station when Bowerman was there in 1911. As OIC he was making $1080/yr. The 1911 census confirms he was at Estevan with his wife Alice and daughter Alice J. He eventually transferred to the Digby Island station and was relieved by Bowerman in 1914. He then left the wireless service and rejoined the Canadian Marconi Company. b.1878
Deacon, A. I. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923.
Dewhurst, L. H. Dewhurst is noted as an operator at Digby Island in 1910 with a salary of $70/mo.
Doutre, Cecil Dominion Superintendent of Wireless Stations for the Department of Marine and Fisheries in 1905. Came out to the West Coast in 1906 to determine the best sites for the proposed wireless stations. Back again to the coast in July 1907 to get the construction for the first five stations underway and by January 1908 all, except Cape Lazo, were operational. Cape Lazo was operational within a few months. In 1909 he became the purchasing agent for the Department of Marine and Fisheries in Ottawa. C. P. Edwards became the new Dominion wireless superintendent.
Dundas, Ronald G. Dundas is listed as an operator at Ikeda Wireless Station in the 1911 census. He is also listed as an early operator at Alert Bay and was the OIC when Bowerman was stationed there. Dundas eventually transferred to Pachena and then left the wireless service. At the end of World War 1 Dundas moved to California and worked for San Francisco Telephone. Larry Reid's book has Dundas at Triangle Island as an operator in 1910. In that position he received $95/month. (b. 1885)
Durkee, Ken M. Durkee was a Point Grey operator during 1920-23 when Bowerman was stationed there as OIC. He and Bowerman transferred to Estevan at the same time in 1923. Still at Estevan in 1924---(BCD*). He was also an early operator at the Pachena DF Station. Durkee left the Service in 1925 to obtain an engineering degree at Washington State University and eventually wound up in California working with General Electric. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923.
Echlin, Fred Joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office. In 1912 he was operating at Victoria and later moved to Cape Lazo. He went overseas in World War 1 and in November 1916 was killed in action.
Edmunds, Sid Edmunds was on Triangle Island in 1914. Operator at Point Grey in the 1920-23 period. A later photo is #349
Edwards, Charles Peter Edwards was an English Marconi man and came to Canada, probably at the behest of the Marconi Company, entered the Department of Marine and Fisheries and became the Superintendent of Wireless Stations in Ottawa in 1909, succeeding Cecil Doutre. He made an inspection trip to the west coast in July of that year. In 1910 (before World War 1) all the operators were put under the authority of the Naval Command. Edwards received the rank of Lt. Commander This commissioned lasted until the end of hostilities. He represented Canada at many international radio conferences. In 1937 he became the head of the Air Services Branch of the newly formed Department of Transport, by 1941 he became a Deputy Minister of the DOT, and in 1948 became the Deputy Minister for Air within the DOT. In 1950 the Engineering Institute of Canada awarded him the "Julian C. Medal" for his work.
Eldridge, Philip M. Phil was listed in a BC Directory as a radio operator at Estevan Point in 1929 through to 1937. The Aitkens diary says he married Muriel McPhee, librarian, in 1935. He had to build his own house at Estevan Point to house his bride, then had to move off government property. There are photos on this site of him and his buddy collecting lumber. In 1937 he went to the 'beacons' at Princeton BC. The 'beacons' were the new air navigation aid commonly called 'Radio Ranges'. (d. 1987)
Elliot, Syd As a youngster Syd came from a town near Blackpool England and joined the Service around 1913. (Reid in his book says Elliot was in Victoria and operating as an amateur'. See Bruce Restall’s entry below). He was in the process of boarding the FVP "Galiano" in November of 1918 as his transfer from Triangle Island Wireless had come through. His transfer was cancelled at the last moment and he was saved from being lost on the "Galiano" when it foundered and went to the bottom a few hours later. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05/1923 as an operator. In 1927, 1928, 1929 & 1930 Syd was an operator at Estevan Point wireless---(BCD*). He was OIC at Alert Bay, shifting out in 1949 for Victoria Radio. Elliot retired in 1956 as the Officer In Charge of the Victoria station after 42 years of service. During those years he operated at the Pachena, Estevan, Digby, Dead Tree Point and Alert Bay wireless stations.
Emmerson, R. G. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator. In 1939 he moved from Digby Island to Cape Lazo.