History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Leslie Edward Tilney/Notes

1889 10
Tilney promoted from junior operator at Bundarra to operator at Albury "GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. The following official notifications were published in yesterday's Government Gazette:— . . . APPOINTMENTS.— . . . Mr. Leslie Edward Tilney, junior operator at Bundarra, to be operator at Albury; . .."

1892 12
Tilney appointed a first lieutenant in NSW citizen forces "Government Gazette. The following announcements appeared in the Government Gazette of December 2 and 6:— Appointments.— . . . Mr. L. E. Tilney to be first lieutenant in the Young Corps, 1st Regiment Partially-paid Infantry; . .."

1894 05
Tilney passes theoretical exams for Lieutenant "MILITARY AND DEFENCE. . . . The undermentioned infantry officers have passed the qualifying theoretical examination for the ranks stated:— For major: Captain V. Le Gay Brereton, 1st Infantry Regiment (distinguished in 'C '); Captain S. Mal-larky, 2nd Infantry Regiment. For captain: Second Lieutenant J. J. Paine, 3rd Infantry Regiment; Lieutenant W. Holmes, 1st Infantry Regiment; Lieutenant W. C. Shipway, 2nd Infantry Regiment; Lieutenant J. G. Legge, 1st Infantry Regiment (distinguished in 'C'); Second Lieutenant G. Ramaciotti, 2nd Infantry Regiment. For Lieutenant: Second Lieutenant C. F. Airey, 2nd Infantry Regiment (distinguished in 'A'); Lieutenant L. E. Tilney, 1st Infantry Regiment; Second Lieutenant J. H. Ashwell, 1st Infantry Regiment; Second Lieutenant J. W. Howard, 1st Infantry Regiment. . .."

1895 04
Tilney enters in Easter sports cycling at Young "SPORTING NEWS. Cycling Notes. (By VOLVO.) I AM glad to say that the entries for the Easter Monday sports at Young are exceedingly satisfactory. Twenty two have entered for the mile and fourteen for the two mile. The entries are as follows:— One mile— T. McVeigh, N. Nielsen, W. Nielsen, L. E. Tilney, W. Hansen, A. Rogan, W. E. Browning, G. Spring, R. Cockburn, G. Warton, W. Beruie, J. S. Fisher, J. McLaughlin, H. P. Chew, P. Tunney, J. B. Phillips, R. W Everett, B. H. Bennett, M. Donges, T. J. Watson, A. D. Price and T. House. Two mile— T. J. Watson, B. H. Bennett, R. W. Everett, J. McLaughlin, J. S. Fisher, W. Bernie, G. Warton, R. Cockburn, A. Rogan, W. Hansen, D. N. Maher, W. Nielsen, N. Nielsen, and T. McVeigh."

1896 07
Tilney chairs a smoke social for his volunteer unit "Volunteer Smoke Concert. On Wednesday evening a large gathering of volunteers assembled in the Drill Hall, the occasion being a smoke concert to which invitations had been extended to civilians, and readily accepted. The acting commander, Lieutenant L. E . Tilney, occupied the chair, Lieutenant Ashwell being vicechairman. About two years ago the volunteers held a series of smoke concerts, which proved most enjoyable, but the events were allowed to cease. A new management has, however, been instituted, and this is the formation of a Social Club. This, as explained by Lieutenant Ashwell in responding to the toast of 'The Social Club,' had been organised for the purpose of carrying out amusements for the volunteers. Smoke concerts and socials will be regularly held, whilst between times the members of the corps will be able to pass their evenings at cards, chess, draughts, &c. According to the rules the hall will be open each evening, and the requisites necessary for the indulgence in the above games will be at the disposal of members of the club. The smoke concert on Wednesday night was the result of the efforts of the Social Club. On a table which ran nearly the length of the hall was laid a light repast, whilst on hand there was a good supply of that which is required to do justice to the toasts of the 'Queen,' &c. The band was in attendance and under Bandmaster Ward rendered selections at various stages throughout the proceedings. The following toasts were proposed:— 'The Queen' (Chairman), 'The I Company Social Club' (Chairman), responded to by Lieutenant Ashwell; 'The Visitors' (Vice Chairman), responded to by Messrs. Cooper, Jennings, Pedersen and Woodward, 'Staff Sergeants' (Vice Chairman), responded to by Staff Sergeant Shipley; 'The Press' (Sergeant McVeigh), responded to by Messrs. Reynolds and Bennett; 'Captain Millard' (Chairman) responded to by Mr. W. J. Millard; Our commanding officer Lieutenant Tilney' (Private H. Birks), responded to by Lieutenant Tilney; 'Our next merry meeting' (the Chairman). The following contributed songs and otherwise to the evenings amusement. Color Sergeant Reedy (song), Mr. B. Cooper (song), Mr. C. Jennings (song), Mr. Niell (song), Staff Sergeant Shipley (song), Private Pogron (song), Buglar Speer (song), Mr Woodward (recitation), Private Stumpf (step dance), Private S. Palmer (song), Private Dark (song), Mr. J. Slatyer (song). The singing by the company in a hearty manner of 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'God Save the Queen', brought a most enjoyable evening to a close."

Tilney subject to regrading for the whole of the Posts and Telegraph Department "The Public Service Act. ITS EFFECT ON THE POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE was issued, on Friday evening, giving the grading of the Post and Telegraph Department as fixed by the Public Service Board. The changes made, while sufficiently important, are not of so extensive a character as those effected in connection with the Justice Department. As there are 4956 officers in the department, and numerous branches to deal with, the board have had no light task in getting through their work. They have retired 96 officers, and, in addition, have decided not to fill eight vacancies which had occurred previously, so that there are no less than 204 fewer officers than there were formerly. The officers who have been retired are distributed in various parts of the colony, and not a few of them have reached an age which entitles them to come under the Superannuation Fund. About 35 officers retire who are over 60 years of age. The board have effected a saving of £51,789, made up a follows:— Salaries, £43,116; allowances, £5853; forage, travelling, and overtime, £2820. Mr. P. B. Walker (secretary, of the telegraph service) is in future to be known as Chief Electrician and Engineer-in-Chief of Telegraphs, his salary being fixed at £800, Mr. J. Dalgarno (secretary of the postal service) has been appointed chief clerk, with a salary of £600. Mr. S. H. Lambton remains Deputy Postmaster-General, with the old salary. The highest salary given to a post and telegraph master is £400 a year, and the various offices have been graded from this salary downwards, according to the amount of business transacted therein. There are at present five classes of offices — the first-class doing a business of £3500, and over, the second-class from £2000 to £3500, the third from £1000 to £2000, the fourth from £500 to £1000, and the fifth from £150 to £500. The highest salary granted to a Telegraph operator is £280, but there are only two paid this amount. The salaries of operators have hitherto run as high as £308, and a good many men were paid at this rate. Telegraph operators have now, however, been graded into classes, according to their ability and standing in the department, and for each class a stated salary will in future be paid. Another important change in regard to operators and one which will no doubt afford satisfaction, has been effected by placing them under the clerical division. The men have been asking for this for years past. They are now eligible for promotion throughout the whole service. This is a great improvement in the status of the operators; and will enable the board to draft the men into other departments. It is stated that during the last two and a half years a saving of £24,000 had been effected in the post-office by refraining from filling up vacancies. It is now asserted that the saving effected in this way amounts to £24,000 a year. Combining this with the saving of £51,000 a year effected by the Public Service Board, it will be seen that there is a total saving of £75,000 a year in the Post and Telegraph Department compared with two and a half years ago. The following is the classification and salaries of the officers employed at the Young Post and Telegraph Office :— W. McNab, 2nd Grade, A3, £320, £40 per annum to be charged for quarters. F. A. Muir, postal assistant, B3, £150. W. E. Browning, telegraph operator, B3, £150. L. E. Tilney, telegraph operator, B3, £130. C. Davie, postal assistant, B4, £91. H. Templeton, letter carrier, 1st grade, £144."

1911 04
Tilney assists Cox Taylor at the South Head wireless plant during Easter 1911 training (clearly the Easter 1910 wireless experiments by Taylor / Kirkby / Hannam had been followed up by the Army) "UNDER WAR CONDITIONS. THE CENSOR. ARTILLERY AT THE HEADS. The announced determination of the Defence Department to exercise a severe censorship over information given to members of the press in connection with the coast defence system of the Commonwealth robs the public of an opportunity of receiving any news of what is taking place during the period of continuous training, except that which is retailed through the officer commanding. The innovation renders independent report of the proceedings impossible. In the past it has been usual to issue permits to accredited and recognised representatives of the press to visit the forts and see for themselves what was taking place, and give the public the benefit of all happenings other than those always recognised as sacred to the department. There has never been any breach of trust on the part of those allowed the privilege of entry to the forts. The officer commanding the Sydney Fortress — Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, R.A.A. — is in no way responsible for this departure, and most readily affords information as to the work carried out in this annual course of training, but hard facts explained in military formula hardly convey to the lay mind all that might be written if ocular demonstration were possible. That the garrison forces are engaged in arduous instruction is undeniable, and that they enter into the task with a determination to make themselves thoroughly efficient in the important work allotted to them is equally apparent, but with regard to the details of their duty information is not available — officers and men strictly adhere to the fiat that has gone forth, and offer no particulars of any kind. So far the work, though strenuous, has not been of the kind to appeal to those privileged to visit the camps at Middle and South Heads. It has mostly been of a routine character with occasional practice at the targets with the aiming tubes — a contrivance which enables an accurate shooting with guns of big calibre up to a range of about 1000 yards. This practice has been considerably interrupted, if not nullified, by the careless indifference of owners and sellers of small craft, to the warning notices issued by the authorities. On Friday the work from the Middle Head and George's Heights batteries was badly obstructed, and on Saturday the practice was only possible after much waiting on the part of the gunners and considerable manoeuvring on the part of the target boat. The R.A.A. on Saturday was engaged in gun drill on the 6-pr. Q.F., the 9.2 B.L., and 6-inch B.L. Mark V. guns at South Head; while the A.G.A. on both sides was given elementary practice on the 6-inch Mark V. guns, the 6 inch Q.F.Cs., and battery drill on the 6-inch B.L. Mark VII. guns. Another instructive work carried out by the A.G.A. was the testing of gun-layers and practice on the heavy guns with aiming tubes at a target towed at a range of about a 1000 yards. During the afternoon the camps were visited by Major-General Hoad (Chief of the General Staff), and Brigadier-General Gordon (District Commandant), but no formal inspection was made. Later in the evening Major-General Hoad and Brigadier-General Gordon boarded the submarine steamer Miner, and went outside the Heads to witness operations carried out under cover of the darkness. The object was to see in what time the R A.A. and A.G.A. could man the forts. The alarm was sounded shortly after 8 p.m. and within a period of six minutes the garrison troops were in their positions on the batteries ready for any emergency. A hostile fleet was supposed to be working its way to Sydney from the south, and every preparation was made to give it a warm reception. The 'wireless' telegraphic plant on South Head, under Major Cox Taylor, assisted by Major Tilney and Lieutenant Daniels, and that on the pilot steamer Captain Cook, were the medium of information as to the approach of the enemy's fleet, which, for the purpose, was composed of all ships and steamers approaching the port. So as to perfect the arrangements the whole of the electric lights on both sides of the entrance were manned, and run during the period of the operations under the control of Lieutenant Thresher, C.A.E. The wireless installation proved equal to the test, and throughout was in communication with the Captain Cook, and got up a speed of 30 words a minute. As each vessel came within the light zone it was at once picked up, and followed in its course, thus enabling the gunners to lay directly upon their objective. The practice was carried out in the various batteries — all of which were managed as under service conditions — without firing, but it nevertheless was a highly instructive operation. The present 'wireless' apparatus operates only over a radius of 30 miles, but it is hoped that by today it will possess a radius of 400 miles. So far it has answered admirably the purpose for which it was installed. Yesterday was a quiet day, in which no laborious work was undertaken. In the morning church parades were held, and a minute inspection of the camp made by Lieutenant-Colonel Clerk (Fortress Commander), who was attended by his staff officer, Lieutenant B. A. G. Watts, R.A.A. At the conclusion of the inspection he spoke in high praise of the order and cleanliness of the camps, and in each awarded prizes for the best-kept tent."

1937 01
Lovely obituary for Tilney in Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer "Obituary. Colonel Leslie Edward Tilney. Many friends of past years on the Manning will regret to hear of the death of Colonel Leslie Edward Tilney, for as a youth he was a man among men and in adult life these characteristics never left him. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Tilney, he was born at Tinonee, and when he was old enough entered the service of the postal Department, eventually becoming one of the finest telegraphists in the State. Amongst other places where he was stationed were Bundara, Narrabri, and Young, and then his ability as a telegraphist was recognised by him being called in to head office, Sydney, where he remained for a good number of years. He enlisted for the South African war and went through that campaign at the beginning of the present century. On returning to Australia, still with the military, he went to India on exchange for experience in military matters. Returning to Australia he was appointed chief telegraphist on one of the earliest wireless stations established on this continent, situated in West Australia. His patriotic instinct impelled him to volunteer for the Great War, and there his valor gained for him the D.S.O. He was wounded several times and invalided. He spent much of this time, during his recovery, in Scotland, and for many years after he kept up correspondence with friends he made in that country, which he considered had the finest and most hospitable people in the world. On returning to Australia, he was appointed Deputy-chairman of the Repatriation Commission, and in this position he visited every State in the Commonwealth, where his geniality and fair dealing with the matters which came under his consideration won for him an enviable popularity and the approval of his superiors. His home was in Melbourne, but for the last seven months he suffered from heart trouble and was confined to his bed for a lot of the time. His Taree sister, Mrs. P. W. Flett, spent nine weeks in Melbourne, with a sister, and during that time she saw much of her brother, who was then in very poor health. However, he rallied and on the 29th December he sailed in the Duntroon for West Australia on a health trip. He enjoyed the trip across immensely and appeared to be making splendid progress, but he had another attack and was forced to enter hospital, where he passed away on Thursday last, at the age of 66 years. A widow, two daughters and a son survive. Brothers and sisters of deceased who survive include the following: Mr. Leo Tilney, Sydney; Mr. Richard Tilney, Katoomba; Mr. Herbert Tilney, Sydney; Mrs. George Nowland, Manly; Mrs. Percy W. Flett, Taree, and Mrs. Homewood, Melbourne. Mr. George Nowland will be well remembered as having been on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales at Coopernook and Taree. He retired from the management of the Bank's Wellington branch some time ago, and is now living in retirement at Manly. The late Colonel Tilney visited the Manning frequently, the last being shortly before his mother died a little over two years ago last August. He was a fine stamp of British-born Australian, and whatever he had to do he did thoroughly."