1968 - A man who began as a radio operator and went on to serve 44 years in radio regulations has retired from active service.

 

W. A. Caton, controller of the radio regulations division for the past 10 years, was honored by his colleagues at a reception held in Ottawa's RA Centre late in June.

 

Prior to joining the department, Mr. Caton was engaged in private radio work at Napanee and later was with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals at Ottawa and Camp Borden.

 

After joining the Department of Marine and Fisheries in 1924 as a radio operator, he was stationed at Chebucto Head direction finding station.

 

In 1925, he became a radio inspector working out of Halifax and then spent 11 years in the Toronto area. In 1937, he was appointed to radio headquarters in Ottawa.

 

Interesting events in Mr. Caton's career in radio included taking part in the technical arrangements for the first trans-Canada radio broadcast in 1927, taking charge of all radio arrangements in connection with the Royal visit of 1939, completing a survey of West Coast marine radio coverage in 1950, and inflight inspection of aeronautical radio facilities on the South Pacific route to Australia in 1952.

 

Hobbies play an important part in Mr. Caton's home life. In addition to being an ardent electronics fan specializ­ing in classical music, he does wood and metal work in his basement workshop and goes in for skiing and fishing when opportunity permits.