John McWatters receives a cheque and best wishes

from Bruce Spanton, inspector-in-charge, Ottawa Radio Field Office.

 

On October 28, 1964, co-workers and friends throughout the department gathered to express good wishes to Radio Inspector John J. Mc Watters, who was retiring after 37 years in the government service. Mr. McWatters was presented with a cheque by Mr. Bruce Spanton, Inspector-in-Charge of the field office.

 

John McWatters was born in Midland, Ontario in 1898. His schooling in Toronto was interrupted by World War I when he joined the Royal Naval transport service and was active in convoy duty. After the war he was a wireless operator on the Pacific coastal service and on the Oriental run of Canadian Pacific Steamships.

 

Back in Toronto in 1920 he was associated with the T. Eaton Company's radio department when they introduced the first "peanut tube" radio receiver made by Northern Electric Co.

 

Between 1922 and 1926 John McWatters, with his brothers Bob and Bill, operated three stores in Toronto where they sold the "concert wave", a three tube receiver which they manufactured themselves. It sold for $250.

 

In 1926 he joined the radio branch of the old Department of Marine and Fisheries. Over the years he worked extensively at investigating complaints of interference to radio and television reception.

 

SILENT KEY - VE3MC