Rough Radio

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 Their published data may be a year out of date.)

Halkett, Gordon Halkett was the Marine District Engineer on the west coast at the turn of the 20th century. Received eye damage (loss of sight in one eye) in 1908 when a spark from a tool ignited the acetylene gas in a buoy he was servicing. From that point on he wore dark glasses. Visited Estevan Point in October 1934 to investigate keeper Lally's operation of the light.
Hamilton, Mr. Harry & Mrs. Owned a farm north of Estevan Point, somewhat past Homiss. Noted in Aitkens diary (1930's).
Harker, Jim E. Harker was an ex- British Post Office Telegrapher and came to Canada in 1909 (1911 census). Harker joined as an operator in 1909, and after some training at Gonzales Wireless, was posted to Cape Lazo Wireless as an assistant. In 1910 he is listed as an operator and was receiving $85 per month. He soon after relieved Cameron at the new station on Digby Island. 1911 census lists Jim as a lodger in Reg Harris' house on Digby Island. He also served a period of time at Ikeda and Triangle Wireless (1912-13) with his wife and family. In 1914 moved to Vancouver Wireless. Jim also is listed as an early operator at Alert Bay wireless station. (Jim's son Bill was born at Alert Bay in 1915 and was seven when they moved out to Cape Lazo.) In 1923 he was the OIC of the downtown Vancouver station (VAB) with Crowe as an assistant. In 1930 he became a radio inspector in Vancouver. Jim retired in 1947. Jim ended his 39 year career as a Senior Radio Inspector for British Columbia, based in Vancouver. (b.1887 d. 1971)
Harker, William & Nan Harker joined as an operator during World War One, following in the footsteps of his brother, Jim. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator. He is an operator at Estevan in 1928---(BCD*). Bill's son, see next entry, carried on in his father's footsteps.
Harker, George William (Bill) William & Nan's son Bill joined the Service in the 1930’s and retired to Canim Lake, in the Williams Lake area of British Columbia in the early 1970’s. Bill's last position was as an electronics technician at the Patricia Bay Airport (YYJ). Bill was born in Alert Bay in January 1915 and passed away at 94 years in Vernon on May 20, 2009.
Harlock, Eric & Shirley Harlock was an operator in the early days at Pachena, is credited with helping to put in gardens and landscaping. I don't know if these two both worked as operators, or if just the one was an operator.
Harris, ‘Lofty’ Cyril Kenneth Lofty was born in Nova Scotia in 1893. He started his career at Victoria Wireless in February 1912. He was at Dead Tree from March 1912 to May 1913. In June of 1913 Harris moved across to Digby Island and in February 1914 he shifted down to Alert Bay. His posting there was short as in March 1914 he was posted to Triangle Island in March 1914. August 1915 he shipped down south to Point Grey where he stayed for two years. In October 1917 he moved up to Estevan until at least February of the following year. His next posting was up in Ikeda from at least June 1918 through to August 1919. [I got these dates from his early photo album notes.] BCD* shows Lofty working as an operator at Bull Harbour in 1923 through to 1930. Sometime before 1943 he became a Radio Inspector. In 1943 he transferred to a radio technician and constructed and maintained marine and airport radio stations in British Columbia. He finished his career in the Aviation Radio branch of the Federal Government in Alberta. He spent the last of his retirement years in the Coombs area of Vancouver Island, west of Parksville, on Vancouver Island. There are a number of his personal photos in the Harris area of this web site.
Harris, Reginald Harris was one of the first operators at Digby Island and is noted as being there in the 1911 census. At that time he was earning $900 annually. He resigned shortly after 1913 and returned to the Grand Trunk Pacific steamers. Reg eventually left wireless behind and built up an insurance business in Seattle.
Harris, Smokey (E.H.?) He was an early operator at the Pachena DF Station.
Harrison, Brian S. Harrison was an operator at Estevan Point at the time it was shelled, June 1942. He was also at Alert Bay in the 1949-1955 period and would clear the aerial wires of robins by pressing the key.
Hassell, William George He was an operator at Ikeda and left at the outbreak of WW 1. I got this information from a commercial radio station history page, but the page has since dropped any reference to Ikeda.
Haughton, Eddie J. In 1888 Haughton became a messenger boy delivering telegrams from the Victoria CPR office to recipients. Within 17 years he had worked his way up to a senior telegrapher position. In November of 1907 Haughton retired from the Victoria C.P.R. telegraph office and became the first operator and Officer in Charge appointed to the Victoria Wireless Station (Colonist). Pay was $70 per month plus free accommodation. In January 1910 he transferred to the position of District Superintendent of Wireless and was replaced at the station by Howard. His salary increased to $100 per month. (In Reid’s book, Haughton became Superintendent on July 13, 1908. He did double duty by staying on as the OIC of Victoria Wireless.) In 1910 he became the head of all the stations in British Columbia but still occupied the position of OIC at Victoria. Salary now $110 per month. In 1910 (before World War 1) all the operators were put under the authority of the Naval Command. Haughton received the rank of Lieutenant. This commission expired at the end of hostilities. He was a telegrapher, born in Dublin, from either the commercial or railroad systems. Larry Reid's book notes he was the Superintendent of the Division, based in Victoria on November 05, 1923. Haughton retired in January 1939, and passed away in 1940.
Hawkeswood, Ralph Joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office. He is listed as one of the early operators at Alert Bay wireless station. In September 1914 he appears in a Lofty Harris Triangle Island photo 49.
Haynes, Marjorie V. Larry Reid's book notes she joined the Victoria district office in 1921 and retired in 1956. Shortly afterwards she and Jack Bowerman were married.
Haywood, Mr & Mrs Aitkens' Estevan Point diary from the 1930's notes they may have had a child. No occupation listed.
Healey, Art Art was the OIC at Pachena in the 1940's, then moved over to the intercept station on Lulu Island (Vancouver) in the latter part of WW2. In 1963 he was the OIC at Alert Bay, and by 1967 was down in Victoria as the Area Operations Supervisor responsible for the radio stations on Vancouver Island (Victoria, Tofino, Alert Bay & Bull Harbour.) Art retired from that position in the early 1970's.
Hillyer, W. T. In 1910 Hillier appears as a wireless station operator and was previously a Canadian Marconi Operator. 1911 census has him at Cape Lazo station. At the end of 1911 he arrives at Pachena as the OIC. Lost an eye from an igniter accident when starting a gas engine and was sent to Germany to receive treatment. He shortly after left the service and worked for the CPR, eventually becoming a station agent. Name appears differently in newspaper accounts of his injury. Born in England 1885.
Hodgson, R.H. 1938 and 1939 BCD* has him down as an operator at Estevan Point Radio.
Hollis, Frederick J. Fred joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office. Fred appears in photos from Jack Bowerman's time at Estevan Point in 1913. Hollis was transferred from Digby Island in 1914. He appears in a 1921 photo taken on the steps of the Point Grey station. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923. He is noted by Clarence Thomas as the Senior Operator at Alert Bay during the 1928-1930 period. In 1939 he moved to Vancouver to become a clerk in the Radio Inspector’s office. Hollis, wife and daughter appear in many of the Bowerman photos.
Holt, Herbie Holt was an early and unmarried operator who stayed for a long period of time at the Dead Tree Wireless station. He eventually transferred out to the Point Grey station.
Holmes, George George operated at Alert Bay in the 1949-1955 time frame.
Hooper, H. A. Hooper was an operator at Estevan Point in 1927 & 1928---(BCD*). There was a Smokey Hooper at Alert Bay during Stave Mellor's tenure as OIC 1949-1955. Might be the same person.
Howard, Walter Howard was an early wireless pioneer on the BC coast. He started with his telegraphic career in Britain in the early 1890’s. He joined the Royal Engineers andcame out to work on improving the defenses of Esquimalt Harbour around 1900. He then returned to Britain and was discharged. He came back to Victoria in 1906 where he helped construct the Gonzales station. He was stricken with gold fever and spent a couple of years in the Yukon but returned to Victoria where he joined the Wireless Service in 1909. The Victoria newspaper reports he was doing the wireless installation at Estevan in January of 1909. He was married Marion in 1910. In 1911 census Walter was the lone operator at the Dead Tree Wireless working a 50 hour week for $600 per annum. (b.1880) Once the Victoria station was completed, he and Ted Rickensen went to Pachena and Estevan Points to do the installation there. Upon completion of the stations Howard left the service but reappeared as an operator within a few months. He replaced McIntyre at Dead Tree Point for a short time and eventually replaced Haughton at Victoria Wireless. (In Reid’s account, Howard was the first OIC of Dead Tree when it opened in 1911.) In 1910 his salary at the Victoria Station was $75/mo. In 1921 he was appointed as a Radio Inspector in Victoria. He was still a RI in the early 1930’s. The man standing on the left in the photo 351 is most likely him.
Howard, "Daddy" This chap keeps popping up in the records. I'm pretty certain is a nick name for Walter Howard above . "Daddy" became a senior radio inspector in 1927 and had Jack Bowerman under him. He has been identified in this photo as the gentleman standing in front with the bowtie and grey overcoat.
Huddleston, George Operator at Alert Bay during the 1949-1955 period.
Hughes, Eddie Hughes was the project engineer who joined with Morse, Rickensen and Howard to complete the installation at Estevan Point. In September 1907 he is noted in a newspaper article checking out the radio apparatus in Victoria before the gear is shipped to Pachena and Estevan Points. He received $100 per month plus a living allowance of $40 for this duty. He continued in the service as a Radio Engineer. In 1910 his salary in that position was $110/mo. In 1910 (before World War 1) all the operators were put under the authority of the Naval Command. Hughes received the rank of Lieutenant. This commission finished at the end of hostilities.
Hughes, T. Hughes is operating at Bull Harbour in 1928 and 1929 (BCD). [I do not think the two Hughes are the same person.]*
Ignace, George George, a local First Nations resident at Estevan Wireless, ran the launch at Hesquiat (a few miles east of Estevan Point), ferrying goods and people ashore from the coastal freighters in the 1930's. From Hesquat the goods would travel via a plank road to the Estevan Point station. A 1939 BCD* lists him as a mail carrier.
Irvine, Basil Irvine was a Vancouver man who served on submarines with Bruce Restall during World War One. He was assigned to Vancouver in 1930 as a radio interference trouble shooter. He came equipped with a fully fitted out inspection vehicle. His arrival caused a bit of a stir as his pay was much higher than others. He and R. Fricker patented a means of reducing reception interference. Check out the Claim, the Description, and the Drawing.
Jackson, Sid C. Joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office. He was with Bowerman on Triangle Island in 1913. Jackson, with his ailing wife, was transferred from Digby Island in 1914. In 1938 Jackson opened a radio inspection office in Kamloops. He retired in 1940 with Len Crowe replacing him. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator.
Jackson, John Jackson was Sid Jackson’s son. He was a radio inspector in Victoria c.1970's.
James, Leonard He was one of the first operators at the Point Grey Wireless Station. James was promoted to OIC when Field resigned late in 1908. In 1910 he was receiving $85/month salary as the OIC at Point Grey. 1911 census shows him earning $1200/yr. b. Sept 1880
James, Percy James was an early operator at Cape Lazo with Walter Lambert.
Jamesson Jamesson was an operator at Pachena DF Station some time after the 1922 reopening.
Jensen, Peter J. Lightkeeper and wife at Estevan Point during Jack Bowerman’s stay in 1911-12. 1911 census tells us his wife Alice and children Edith, Elizabeth, and Louis were with him. At that time he was getting $800/yr.
Jones, Syd (Sid) P. A veteran of World War 1, Jones attended Sprott-Shaw College and where he received his operator's certification in 1920. At one time (after 1922) Jones was the OIC of the Pachena DF Station. He was an operator at Point Grey Wireless when Jack Bowerman was OIC (1920-23). Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05, 1923. In 1939 Sid returns from eastern Canada, why he was there is presently unknown, and is sent to Pachena as the OIC. From there he went to Digby Island and was eventually the last OIC of Point Grey. Photo is from 1923.
Keele, Bill Bill was an operator at Alert Bay in the 1949 to 1955 period.
Kelk, E. W. Kelk was with Bowerman during the 1920-23 period at Point Grey wireless. Tommy Thomas notes Kelk is the Chief Operator at Alert Bay in 1929. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05/1923 as an operator. There is a 1923 photo of some of the Point Grey operators. Among them is a B. Kelwich whose photo appears here. Are Kelk and Kewlwich the same person?
Kellard Joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period, most likely from the British Post Office.
Kennedy, Colin Bruce Colin was born in Australia. The census doesn't reveal when he arrived in Canada, but he was listed as the head wireless operator at Pachena in the 1911 census. Kennedy was with Bowerman at Pachena in 1911. In 1910 he is listed in Larry Reid's book as an operator at Pachena Point Wireless and in receipt of an $85 per month salary. In late 1911 he left Pachena and became a technician with Federal Telegraph in California. (1919: Colin B. Kennedy founded his Radio Company in San Francisco; R.S. Ormsby is one of his engineers; Kennedy makes custom as well as production models and is known as the "wireless tailor" for his custom work. [SWP] From WEST COAST WIRELESS Copyright Bart Lee, 1992, 1999, 2006, Page 18)
Kennedy, M. V. In November of 1923 he/her is listed in Larry Reid's book, as the Clerk/Bookkeeper of the Victoria HQ.
Killeen, H. C. He was the Victoria based civil engineer for the Department of Marine and Fisheries. In the June 1909 he laid out Triangle Island and left a gang of men to build a boat and store house. In 1910 he was busy with completing the new light station going up on Triangle Island.
King, Martin J. King was an Officer In Charge, after 1922, of the Pachena DF Station. At Estevan as an operator in 1931 and 1932---(BCD*). Married July 22, 1932? a lady from Calgary.
Kitchen, Jim Jim was an operator at Alert Bay in 1929 and later on in his career became a Radio Inspector in Vancouver. He wrote a book in the late 1950s to help budding amateur radio operators acquire their licenses. He received his 1st Class Radio Certificate #2211 in Alert Bay on July 7, 1930 [The photo has a blot.]