Rough Radio

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 Their published data may be a year out of date.)

Lalley, Robert Lighthouse keeper at Estevan Point for many years: 1927 to 1939---(BCD*). He was there when the station was shelled during World War 2. Wife may be called Doreen (or Eliza) d.1990 and an adopted son called Roy.
Lambert, Walter H. Lambert was an early operator at Cape Lazo wireless station. He was on that station with Percy James. J.C. Stephen eventually replaced him. Lambert was installed as the first instructor at the well known "Room 19" at King Edward High School in Vancouver. This course turned out many a fine radio operator in some 30 years of operation. He was a robust saltwater canoeist too.
Larson, L. Larson was the Janitor in the Victoria HQ around 1923.
Lassaline, Buck Operated at Alert Bay in the 1949-1955 time period.
Lawton, Alphonsus T. (Alf) Operator at Barrington Passage Wireless in Nova Scotia during World War 1.
Logy, Jim Assistant light keeper at Estevan Point during Aitkens posting (1930's) to the wireless station.
Lowe, Alex Gene Aitkens mentions Lowe in her 1930's diary. He was a carpenter at Estevan Point Wireless.
Lowe, Harry He is mentioned in a 1939 Prince Rupert newspaper clipping as a construction foreman doing some station inspections.
Loyd, W.G. Loyd was an operator at Bull Harbour in 1936. In 1946 he was operating at Digby Island (Prince Rupert).
Lucas, Len Moved over from the Bamfield Cable Station to being a wireless operator in 1910.
Lukovitch, Antonio Assistant Lightkeeper at Estevan Point during Bowerman's stay in 1911-12. A person by the name of 'A. Lukovitch' had a store in Hesquiat in the late 1890's and this may be the same person or a relation. 1911 census reports he was being paid $640/yr for his services. (b.1864)
McConnell, A.H. McConnell is listed as a labourer at the Estevan Point Wireless station in 1927 through to 1936---(BCD*).
MacCracken, E.J. Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05/1923.
MacDonald June 24, 1909 Victoria Times newspaper "...foreman MacDonald who is in charge of the work at Triangle Island." No first name or intial given in the item.
MacDonald, Jack H. (may be the same as next chap) MacDonald started as a second wireless operator at the Point Grey station at age 17 in 1910. At that time he was receiving $65/month. On May 1, 1911 at 23:00 PST while on duty at Point Grey, monitored the first station to broadcast voice and music on 4000 meters from a station in Seattle. He appears as an operator at the Pachena DF Station sometime after the opening in 1922. MacDonald passed away on October 3, 1949 at age 58 in Sidney, BC.
Macdonald, J. H. Jack shows in the 1911 census as an operator at Point Grey earning some $780/yr. On May 1, 1911 at 23:00 PST he was startled to hear, not Morse, but voice and music coming from a Seattle station on 4000 meters. A few years later he quit and became the operator at the remote Anyox mine and smelter (operated 1914-1936)in a northern coastal corner of the province. He held that post for the 19 years the mine was in operation. The Anyox facility was quite the establishment having a townsite with a generously sized population. The place even had its own power dam. Doubtless a lot of the Anyox wireless traffic flowed through Digby Island Wireless. See Jack at his post here. Dick Lobb tells me Macdonald went to Bull Harbour as an operator after Anyox closed down in the late 1930's. b.1891
Macdougall, Don Don was the radio operator in the CGS William J. Stewart (hydrographic vessel) in the 1930's. (Aitkens' diary.)
McIntyre, Charlie M. Did some of the installation work at Dead Tree Point Wireless in 1910, and then stayed on for a few months as an operator. Pay in 1910, whilst engaged in construction, was $90 per month and $40 per month living allowance. 1911 census shows him operating at Ikeda Wireless Station. (b.1882) The Colonist paper records a Mr. McIntyre as the wireless expert doing the 1909 installation at Ikeda.
McLean, W. E. McLean is listed in the 1938 BCD* as residing at Estevan Point. Occupation is not listed, but probably an operator.
McKay, Miss J. In 1923 she is listed in Larry Reid's book as the a junior clerk/steno in the Victoria HQ.
McTavish, G. Neil Neil was an operator at the new Bull Harbour station in 1921. Listed as an operator at Estevan Point in 1923---(BCD*). He appears in an early 1950's Jack Bowerman's photo 438, standing in the back middle to the left.
McQueen, M.H. (Herb) Joined as a radio technician in the 1911-12 period. He went to eastern Canada for duty during World War One. Larry Reid's book has him listed as a 'radio electrician' with the Radio Workshop in Esquimalt on November 05, 1923.
Mainard, Aubrey Operator at Alert Bay in the 1949-55 period.
Matheson, Ron Ron is mentioned in Gene Aitkens Estevan Point diary in the mid 1930's. Occupation is unknown.
Mathias, Paul BCD* lists Paul as the landline telegrapher at Hesquiat.
Meiss, St. Elmo (Jim) Jessie In 1893 Meiss was born in Victoria and joined the wireless service in the 1911-12 period. Reid’s book says he worked as a CPR telegrapher in Victoria. Jim spent 19 1/2 months at Triangle Island Wireless. He was an operator at the Estevan Point Wireless station when Bowerman arrived there as the OIC in 1923. Listed as an operator at Estevan Point in 1923.--(BCD)--but doesn't reappear at Estevan until 1928---(BCD). He is still there from 1929 to 1939 as the OIC, Justice of the Peace and Post Master--(BCD). Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05/1923 as an operator. Meiss was at Estevan Point in 1932 when Gene Aitkens arrived. She mentions he was also there in 1934. He transferred eventually to Victoria. Elmo, his wife Jessie (d. 1977 at 90yrs) and daughter Thelma appear in a number of the Aitkens photos taken at Estevan during the 1930's. Jim retired in 1958 (d.1969) with 45 years under his belt. His last position was the Senior Radio Inspector for Vancouver Island. Photo on the left is from the 1950's, the other from the 1930's.*
Mellis Mellis was an operator at Point Grey in 1923. This name could be a type for Mellish or Melwich below.
Mellish, C.W. Listed as an operator at Estevan Point in 1923.---(BCD*) Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator. Mellis noted above may be the same.
Mellor, Stavely John Mellor joined the Department in January of 1930 and retired in 1970. Stave was the Station manager at Digby Island sometime before 1949. He came down from Digby to be the Officer in Charge at Alert Bay in September 1949 and moved out in September 1955. Photo is from the mid 1950's. Mellor of Digby Island is on the IEEE rolls as a member in 1936. (b. 1909)
Melwich, B.<--the name is indistinct on the photo Melwich appears in a photo of the 1921 Point Grey operations staff.
Mennie, John Mennie is listed as a Bull Harbour wireless operator in the years 1930 to 1932 (BCD). He appears in a 1932 (BCD) edition as operating at Alert Bay Wireless. The BC Archival Information Network lists John Mennie as an operator at Alert Bay from 1930 until 1937.
Miller, Al Bill Harker's dad gave Al his ham ticket in 1933 and he a Jack Bowerman signed Al into the DOT in 1941.
Morse (A. H.?) Morse appears first as the Canadian superintendent for the Lee-Forest Wireless Telegraph Company, a rival of the Marconi Company. He joined the Dominion government and in July 1907 was overseeing the initial construction at Estevan Point. When his boss, Cecil Doutre, went to Ottawa in the summer of 1907, Morse was left in charge overseeing the construction of the first five stations. Local paper reports him doing the installation at Point Grey in November 1907. His pay was $90/month with a $40/month living allowance. He was the OIC at Estevan Point when it opened. Some years later he was the OIC at Point Grey until relieved by Field.
Moses, Charlie A. He, with his family, was an operator at Dead Tree Wireless for several years in the early years of the station. Larry Reid's book has him listed on November 05, 1923 as an operator.
Mugford, B. W. (Bill?) Larry Reid's book has him listed as an operator on November 05/1923.
Neary, Jack Brother of Michael. Neary came out to Canada at the same time. He was an operator at Triangle Island (1918) when his bother’s vessel sank. He was not on duty so was spared receiving the vessel's distress message.
Neary, Michael John Came from the UK and joined the Service during the 1911-14 period. He was the wireless operator in the ill fated FPV Galiano when she took all hands (26 + one passenger) to the bottom after foundering November 1918. The Galiano had just stopped in at Triangle Island Wireless for passengers and was heading north to Ikeda Wireless.