History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/George Frederick Chilton/Notes

1874 04
Marriage announcement for 4GD's father and first wife "Marriages. . . . CHILTON — RAYMOND.— On the 4th inst., at St. Paul's Church, by the Rev. S. L. Chase, George Chilton to Henrietta Frances, eldest daughter of Mr. J. C. Raymond, late of Dublin."

1887 10
Funeral notice for 4GD's father's first wife "Funeral Notices. . . . THE Friends of Mr. GEORGE CHILTON are most respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late beloved wife to their last resting place, the Melbourne General Cemetery. The funeral is appointed to move from his residence, Maud Cottage, Nicholson-street, North Carlton, TOMORROW (Saturday), 15th October, at 2 o'clock punctually. Wll.LIAM GEORGE APPS, Undertaker, Fitzroy and Moor streets, Fitzroy; and High and Robe streets, St. Kllda."

Death notice for 4GD's father's first wife "Deaths. . . . CHILTON.— On the 13th October, at her late residence, Maud Cottage, Nicholson-street, North Carlton, Henrietta Frances, the beloved wife of George Chilton, aged 35 years. Her end was peace."

1889 12
Marraige notice for 4GD's father and second wife "'''Marriages. CHILTON — HOEY.— On the 14th December, by the Rev. T. W. McGregor, George Chilton to Emmie, eldest daughter of Frederick Hall, and widow of R. B. Hoey, both of Carlton."

1896 08
Death notice for 4GD's father (4GD aged 5) "DEATHS. . . . CHILTON.— On the 24th August, at his residence, 292 Brunswick-street, North Fitzroy, George Chilton, beloved husband of Emily Kate, father of Maud, Ruby and George Chilton, aged 55 years."

Funeral notice for 4GD's father "FUNERAL NOTICE. CHILTON.— The Friends of the late Mr. GEORGE CHILTON, bootmaker (late of R. White's), are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Melbourne General Cemetery. The Funeral is appointed to move from his late residence, 292 Brunswick-street, North Fitzroy, THIS DAY (Wednesday), 26th inst.), at 2.30 o'clock punctually. WILLIAM GEORGE APPS, Embalmer and Undertaker, Fitzroy and Moor streets, Fitzroy — telephone 1045; High-street, St. Kilda — telephone 71, Windsor Exchange; and Horne-street, Elstern-wick, close to station; and Lonsdale-street, City."

1896 09
Probate granted for 4GD's father "PROBATES AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION. The registrar has granted probate to the wills of the following deceased persons:— . . . George Chilton, £881;"

1906 03
4GD passes the examination for telegraph messenger with the PMGD "FEDERAL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS. THE VICTORIAN LISTS. The Federal Public Service Commissioner on Saturday gazetted the Victorian lists of passes in two recent examinations, (1) the telegraph messengers' entrance examination, held on 10th February, when 205 out of 305 candidates passed; (2) the examination held on the same date to enable telegraph messengers to qualify for promotion in the general division. In the first a Victorian lad, Sydney Peter Semmens, of Ballarat, with 518 marks out of a possible 600, headed the pass list. His runner up was a Sydney boy named Charles Scott Gordon, who scored 504 marks. In the second examination four New South Wales boys— J. J. P. Hogan with 548 marks out of 600, W. R, Quist with 531, L. J. Luscombe with 527 and C. L. Bailey with 512 — topped the poll, their closest competitor being a Victorian, F. T. Donovan, with 508 marks. The following are the Victorian lists:— MESSSENGERS ENTRANCE EXAM. . . . Canterbury.— F. W. F. Craig, 470; R. C. Webster, 445; W. P. Cotter, 419; R. J. Davis, 415; T. Crotty, 411; H. E. Evered, 406; R. T. Faragher, 406; W. H. Tucker, 405; G. F. Chilton, 405; H. W. Dingle, 397; R. Schmidt, 393; J. P. Dwyer, 390; F. J. Kelly, 397; R. J. Mair, 363; J. J. Simmons, 369; R. H. L. Liston, 347; C. Wagglen, 333; A. J. Sandy, 295: E. B. Campbell, 287; C. W. Gray, 283; L. G. Bree, 258."

1908 05
4GD passes examinatio for entry into general division of federal public service with PMGD "TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS' PROMOTION. On the 9th May examinations were held throughout Victoria to enable telegraph messengers and other junior employes in the Post and Telegraph Department to demonstrate their fitness for general division positions when telegraphic ability is required. There were 43 candidates. The maximum number of marks obtainable, was 300. It is now announced that the following were successful:— J. C. Styles, Melbourne, 227 marks; J. H. H. Boothey, Warracknabeal, 267; J. N. Goss, Mornington, 263: T. O'Brien, Kyneton, 259; G. W. Yeoman, Clunes, 257; P. T. R. Murn, Murtoa, 256; R. L. McKenzie, Horsham, 253; L. B. Collins, Alexandra, 252; G. C. D. O'Connor, Warracknabeal, 244; G. F. Chilton, Kew, 244; H. J. Mclvor, Seymour, 243; F. C. Davis, Creswick, 239; J. McEnroe, Rutherglen, 238; P. Faux, Dunolly, 236; A. McK. Ferguson, Lancefield, 235; A. Mitcheld, Rosedale, 234; C. S. Clarke Wodonga, 229; H. C. Vanner, Hamilton, 228; W. H. Burge, Wodonga, 219; M. Houlihan, Berwick, 217."

1909 09
Marriage notice for 4GD's half-sister Alice Maud Chilton "MARRIAGES. . . . IVEY — CHILTON.— August 14, 1909, at St James' C. of England, Turramurra, by the Rev. S. J. Woolnough, assisted by the Rev. E. Shipley, Frank, second son of Francis Ivey, Esq., of Ivydale, Lindfield, and Cornwall, England, to Alice Maud, daughter of the late George Chilton, of Melbourne, and niece of F. Chilton, Esq., of Turramurra. Present address, Penzance, Provincial-road, Lindfield."

Report of marriage of 4GD's half-sister Alice Maud Chilton "SOCIAL. . . . St. James's Church of England, Turramurra, was the scene of a wedding on Saturday, August 14, when Mr. Frank Ivey, second son of Mr. Francis Ivey, of Lindfield, and Cornwall, England, was married to Miss Alice Maud Chilton, daughter of the late Mr. George Chilton, Melbourne, and niece of Mr. F. Chilton, of Turramurra. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. S. J. Woolnough, assisted by the Rev. E. Shepley, of St. James's, Turramurra. The church was beautifully decorated by the members of the choir, who rendered a full choral service. The bride was dressed in white silk, and wore a white silk hat trimmed with feathers. Miss L. Wilson (cousin) acted as bridesmaid, and Mr. Robert Acland was best man. After the ceremony the wedding party were driven to the residence of the bride's uncle, Mr. F. Chilton, sen., where the happy couple received the congratulations of their friends, and the wedding breakfast was served."

Another report of the marriage of 4GD's half-sister Alice Maud Chilton "WEDDINGS. . . . IVEY — CHILTON.— St. James's Church of England, Turramurra, was the scene of a wedding on August 14, when Frank, second son of Mr. Francis Ivey, of 'Ivydale,' Lindfleld, and Cornwall, England, was married to Alice Maud, daughter of the late Mr. George Chilton, of Melbourne, and niece of Mr. F. Chilton, Turramurra. The ceremony was performed by Rev. S. J. Woolnough, of Lindfield, assisted by Rev. E. Shipley, St. James's, Turramurra. The church was decorated by the members of the choir with ivy and pink and while camellias. The service wns fully choral. Miss Swayne acted as organist. The bride wore a white silk dress and white silk hat trimmed with ostrich feathers. Mr. F. Chilton, Jun., gave her away. Miss L. Wilson (cousin of the bride) acted as bridesmaid. She wore a cream silk dress with hat to match. Mr. Robert Acland acted as best man. After the ceremony the wedding party were driven to the residence of the bride's uncle, Mr. T. Chilton, sen., where the happy couple received the congratulations of their friends, and where the wedding breakfast was served."

1912 03
A fascinating insight into the life of a ship's wireless officer and showing 4GD's enthusiasm for his work "WIRELESS. AN INTERESTING LETTER. The following is a copy of a letter written by Mr. George Chilton, formerly one of the staff of the Traralgon Post Office, now a Marconi wireless operator on board one of the coastal steamers. It is racily written, and interesting: 'Strange it may seem, but true it is, this new vocation is absolutely lovely. You are your own boss, and the work you do would not be sufficient for exercise, let alone exertion. Today I got a fit of energy, and have just completed overhauling my generating plant, transmitting gear, and aerial wires. It is a rather tedious job, but I am just as enthusiastic as when I was in Traralgon. The theory and practice are not strangers to me now, and that is a great consolation. It is a fascinating study, and something new is always cropping up. The social side of it is very pleasant. One sees such a variety of human life and habits, and it is a good education and training for a young chap. The discipline enforced, and the etiquette and demeanor to be observed are all fairly stringent, but it eventually becomes quite natural. The operators I have met are a splendid class of men. Most of the English operators are, of course, rather well educated and refined, but nothing in them resembling conceit or vainglory. Talking about operating! One encounters some marvels at it, and it is much more difficult sending rapidly on wireless keys than on Morse keys. The keys we use, as you can realise, must necessarily be very strong and well-made, on account of the high tension current. The current is all ''high-frequency alternating,' so there is a slight difference in it to breaking circuit with 'direct current,' where there is not such a tendency to 'arc' at the contracts [sic]. Some of the operators have been rocking it like wildfire at 1100 miles, with strong 'atmospherics' going, and never miss. In fact I have heard M.O.J. ('Osterley' and M.O.D. ('Otranto') yarning away in the American code at about 30 words per minute, and the next minute break off and send messages to each other in the European code. That takes some beating to be able to adapt one's hearing to any code at wish. The Melbourne station (P.O.M.) was rotten at inception, but of late it is much better, although still defective in our opinion. Why, they have a guaranteed range of 500 in day, and 1500 at night, and they have not done either. The Marconi sets, using much smaller power and lower aerials, gauranteed only for 150 day and 500 night, have all exceeded their ranges. Why, hang it all, I have myself done 338 in day, and several 1000, 1100, 1200, and even 1500 miles at night, and Melbourne has more than thrice my power. I got Macquarie Island coming into Adelaide this trip, and again at Wilson's Promtory, and Melbourne has been boomed for getting him (M.Q.I.) Hotel Australia (A.A.A.) gets M.Q.I. every blessed night, and 'rocks' in press. Fremantle station will be a good one (M.N.S.) I heard him from Sydney heads, and his signals were good. Of course, his aerial makes the difference — it is 392 feet high. The distance, roughly speaking, would be about 1500 or 1600 miles, but I could not 'log' that, as he failed to hear me. The system is 'A la Telefunk,' or 'sucka da oyste,' 'loa da monk,' etc.. etc., 'A la mode Italienne.' 'Journal.'"

1912 05
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1915 12
4GD as OIC VIG provides his residence for a staff wedding "Orange Blossoms. A very pretty wedding was celebrated on Saturday last at the residence of Mr. G. F. Chilton, Port Moresby. The contracting parties were Mr. K. McLennan, of the wireless staff, and Miss L. M. Osborne, of Wellington, N.Z. The Rev. Lawrence conducted the ceremony. Mr. L. Fontaine acted as best man, and Mrs. Chilton filled the position of bridesmaid. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of many presents, including a fine set of cutlery from the staff of the wireless station."

1917 01
4GD is appointed as a Commissioned Telegraphist in the Royal Australian Naval Service "AUSTRALIAN NAVAL WIRELESS. APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS. The following appointments to the permanent Royal Australian Naval Radio Service were announced yesterday in the 'Commonwealth Gazette':— To be Radio Commander.— Engineer Lieut. Frank Gillespie Creswell, R.A.N. To be Radio Lieutenants.— Arthur Frederick Newman, George James Weston. To be Commissioned Telegraphists.— William T. S. Crawford, Walter M. Sweeney, George A. Scott, John M. Martin, Charles E. Tapp, Julian Leslie, George F. Chilton, Francis J. Burgoyne. To be Warrant Telegraphists.— James J. W. Lamb, Henry F. Coffey, Sydney Trim, Maitland G. Pope, Mark Mortimer, William H. Holloway, d'Arcy H. Reader, William G. Chapman, Victor Hodson, Neil H. Mayger, Clement G. B. Meredith; Frank J. C. Bridges, Gerald W. Walters, Frederick J. Henderson. The following promotions in the service were also announced:— To be Warrant Telegraphists (Acting).— Chief Petty Officer Telegraphists Charles C. King, Sydney C. Cusack, Frederick C. Mulligan, Joseph M. Johnson, George Bailey."

4GD appears to have been slow in paying his accounts while in Papua "'''CONCENTRATES.— . . . Mr. G. H. Brown, C.P.S. at the local court yesterday advised the Bench that among the cases was one from Port Moresby, Papua, the particulars being that H. Leigh Atkinson, local dentist, had .sued George Chilton, wireless operator, for £6/10/- 'work and labor done.' In proof he read the following affidavit, going to show that summons-serving at Port Moresby by the authorities takes on the form of an early duty. The document set out:—-' I, Kakatani Keke, court interpreter of Port Moresby, served a true copy of a summons and.particular of demand on the 23rd August at 4.45 o'clock of the forenoon on George Chilton, and that the abovenamed George Chilton is personallv known to me and was so personally known to me on the said 23rd August, etc., affirmed at Port Moresby, in the territory of Papua, 16th November, H. Parker, C.P S.' Mr Brown sought for an adjournment until the 25th inst. so that the case might be heard before Mr Philip Cohen, P.M. The request was ganted by Mr T. Lonsdale, J.P."

1917 11
4GD as OIC VIG acts as expert witness in prosecution of enemy alien possessing wireless apparatus "Enemy Alien Possessed of Signalling Apparatus. At the local court on Monday last, before Mr J. T. O'Malley, R.M., a German named Max Kutsche was charged with having apparatus in his possession which could be used for signalling purposes. The penalty for an offence of this description is £100 or six months' imprisonment, or both. Constable Atkinson prosecuted, and defendant conducted his own case, and pleaded not guilty. The evidence given by the prosecuting constable was to the effect that he, in company with Headquarters-Officer Grist, searched defendant's premises on Thursday week and found the apparatus produced. Subsequently he arrested and charged the accused. On Friday, the 9th inst, Constable Atkinson took the apparatus to the wireless station where it was examined by Mr Chilton, the officer in charge, and Mr Henderson, installing engineer. Mr Chilton gave evidence proving that the apparatus could be used for signalling purposes. Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Accused lived at Bomana and was ostensibly growing vegetables for a living, and from papers found in his possession it was shown that he had been a foreman electrician at Kiel Dockyard."

1918 08
4GD transferred to VIB from VIG "LOCAL AND GENERAL. Mr G. R. Chilton, officer-in-charge, Radio station, has been transferred to Brisbane, and will leave the Territory as soon as his successor, Mr Tapp, arrives."

1920 03
4GD elected to the research committee at the first AGM of the QWI "WIRELESS INSTITUTE. The report presented at the first annual meeting of the Queensland Wireless Institute, held in the Technical College last night, stated that owing to the influenza epidemic the institute, during the first ten months of its existence, had been practically in abeyance, the epidemic having precluded experiments in wireless research. The membership of the institute was now about 40. It was hoped to acquire suitable accommodation within a short period, when it was proposed to establish a laboratory for carrying out research work. The financial statement showed a credit balance. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Professor Hawken; president, Mr. W. M. Nelson; honorary members, Captain G. A. H. Curtis and Mr. H. May; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. Cornwell, A. G. Jackson, and S. H. Smith; council, Messrs. D. J. Garland, E. M. Jack, W. I. Monkhouse, J. C. Price, W. H. Rix, and A. L. Moore; hon. secretary and treasurer Mr. S. V. Colville; assistant secretary, Mr. P. E. Cuslack; research committee, Messrs. G. Chilton, H. M'Lean, and W. I. Monkhouse."

1921 04
4GD appointed a vice-president and on the research committee at the 2nd AGM of the QWI "Queensland Wireless Institute. The annual meeting of the Queensland Wireless institute was held in the room of the institute, at the corner of Ann and Edward streets, last night, the president (Mr. W. M. Nelson) in the chair. The report stated that although the progress of the institute had not been brilliant some very interesting and useful work had been accomplished. Lectures had been delivered dealing with 'Electromagnetic Induction,' 'Submarine Cable,' 'An Amateur Receiving Set,' 'Crystal Rectifiers as applied to Wireless Reception,' 'Electronic Theory as applied to Valves,' 'Electrical Oscillations,' 'Wireless Waves and Wave Motion,' and 'Valves and their Application in Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony.' It was decided to hold lectures on the last Friday in each month, and to invite all persons interested to attend. After the meeting the members visited the Research Room on the tower, where the honorary secretary (Mr. S. V. Colville) demonstrated the transmission and reception of wireless signals by means of a spark transmitter and valve amplifying receiver. He pointed out that the apparatus, which had a transmitting range of 100 miles and a receiving range of about 3000 miles, had been constructed by the members of the institute out of raw materials. The election of officials resulted as follows:— Patron, Professor Hawken, B.A., B.E., M.I.C.E.; president, Mr. W. M. Nelson; vice-presidents, Messrs. S. H. Smith, G. Chilton, and L. S. Lane; council, Messrs. A. L. Moore, E. Littler, W. Finney, G. Tucker, H. M'Lean, and L. Gibson, research committee, Messrs. A. L. Moore, S. V. Colville, G. Chilton, L. S. Lane, and P. Wolstenholme; honorary general secretary, Mr. S. V. Colville, honoary assistant secretary, Mr. J. Wilson; librarian, Mr. W. Shepley; assistant librarian, Mr. A. Dillon."

1922 04
4GD at QWI third AGM continues as a vice-president, with the research committee to be constituted by Council "The Wireless Institute. In addition to a number of interesting and instructive lectures by the members, a high standard of discussion had taken place on the construction of long waves, long wave receivers, arc converters, valve transmitters, and all modern radio apparatus generally, stated the report presented by the secretary (Mr. S. V. Colville) at the third annual meeting of the Queensland division of the Wireless Institute of Australia, held last evening. Mr. W. Finney presided. A number of the members, the report added, were now able to receive practically any high-powered long wave station in the world. Very satisfactory results were being obtained in the research room. Appreciation was expressed at the Department of Public Instruction granting the free use of the lecture and research rooms. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— Patrons, Prof. R. W. Hawken, B.A., B.E., M.I.C.E., and Mr. W. M. L'Estrange; president, Mr. W. Finney; vice-presidents, Messrs. S. R. H. Smith, G. Chilton, and G. Boundy; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. V. Colville, assistant hon. secretary, Mr. P. A. Wilson; librarian, Mr. W. Shepley; assistant librarian, Mr. A. E. Dillon; council, Messrs. W. Shepley, A. L. Moore, E. C. Littler, E. M. Gibson, A. E. Dillon, L. O. Kerlin, J. Milner, and H. V. Callick. The council was constituted a research committee, with power to add to its number. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers and council and the Press."

1922 05
4GD proposes vote of thanks to Syd Colville after his lecture on Wireless Telephony and foreshadows early operation of the QWI set "Wireless Telephony. An informative lecture on 'Wireless Telephony' was delivered by Mr. S. V. Colville (secretary of the Queensland Wireless Institute) at the institute last evening. It was the lecturer's original intention to deliver his discourse from the operating room on the roof of the building, his voice being conveyed to the lecture room per medium of wireless telephony, but owing to the instrument being out of order he was compelled to deliver his address in the ordinary way. After a brief explanation of the origin, character, and development of wireless telephony, Mr. Colville said that at the present time radiotelephony was only in its infancy, in regard to its commercial value, although in Australia there were a few stations working, which no doubt were equal to any in the world for efficiency. The time was not far distant providing the authorities governing wireless in Australia granted private individuals permission to operate, when we would be well linked up by wireless telephony — the most scientific, efficient, and inexpensive means of communication ever invented. The set they now had was only 31b. or 4lb. in weight, and would only cost as many pounds in money to operate for a year, and on the previous evening a distance of 60 miles had been covered. At the close of the lecture Mr. G. F. Chilton (officer in charge of the Pinkenba Wireless Station) complimented Mr. Colville on his lecture, and said that it was due to his enthusiasm that the institute had developed a set of the magnitude it had. He believed it would not be long before they had a wireless telephone with a radius of 600 miles."