History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Alfred Harold Masters/Wikipedia

Alfred Harold "Harold" Masters (7 Nov 1875 - 27 Apr 1951) was one of Tasmania's earliest wireless and X-ray experimenters. He was for many years councillor and superintendent of Launceston Technical School. A prominent Launceston architect and electrical engineer, he designed several of Launceston and district's major buildings. He planned and oversighted commissioning of electric light systems in several towns in northern Tasmania. He was an early advocate for adoption of hydro-electric power. Masters represented the Tasmanian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and actively promoted adoption of town planning principles in the Launceston community where he lived his entire adult life. Early life Alfred Harold "Harold" Masters was the second child of Joseph Masters (1845 - 1925)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-CGK Joseph Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , and Ann Auchterlonie Masters nee Anderson (1843 - 1904)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZGH-QNR Ann Auchterlonie Masters nee Anderson's Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 ,. Harold was born 7 November 1875http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7424432 Family Notices The Argus (Melbourne) 9,174 Victoria, Australia 9 November 1875 13 January 2021 1 National Library of Australia at Kew, Victoria. His father, Joseph Masters received a Master of Arts at Melbourne University and was a Congregational minister in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. In 1887 he was appointed Inspector of Schools in Northern Tasmania, then Director of Education, finally Secretary of Education, retiring in 1918.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91686854 PERSONAL The Examiner (Tasmania) LXXXIII, 210 Tasmania, Australia 4 September 1925 9 January 2021 4 (DAILY) National Library of Australia He married Ann Aucherlonie Anderson at St Kilda, Victoria 13 March 1872.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197627438 Family Notices The Ballarat Star XVII, 67 Victoria, Australia 18 March 1872 9 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia They had six children together: William Edward Masters (1873 - 1952)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-CPW William Edward Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , BAhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221147738 MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY. Weekly Times 1,546 Victoria, Australia 25 March 1899 13 January 2021 34 National Library of Australia, LL.Bhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243018006 THE HONOR LIST. The Herald 6489 Victoria, Australia 11 May 1901 13 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia Melbourne University, barrister at Hobart, Hobart historianhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27111852 DEATH OF HOBART HISTORIAN The Mercury CLXXII, 25,511 Tasmania, Australia 25 September 1952 13 January 2021 13 National Library of Australia m. Rowena Ella "Ella" Masters nee Spong Alfred Harold Masters (1875 - 1951)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-CPY Alfred Harold Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , architect, Launceston, the subject of this article Annie Lillian Masters (1876 - 1877)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-DM3 Annie Lillian Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , died as a baby Rosa Masters (1878 - 1954)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-8HW Rosa Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , never married, Artist Arthur Murray Masters (1880 - 1929)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-8BK Arthur Murray Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , M.D. Edinburgh University Herbert Masters (1884 - 1900)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-81J Herbert Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , died of typhoid, age 15 Professional Career Architecture Masters commenced his architectural career in the late 1880s in the architectural department of J. and T. Gunnhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52813517 Architect's Death The Examiner (Tasmania) CX, 40 Tasmania, Australia 28 April 1951 5 January 2021 4 National Library of Australia, a business which had been established in Launceston in the mid 1870s as timber merchantshttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72520543 Advertising The Cornwall Chronicle XL, 4595 Tasmania, Australia 7 January 1876 11 January 2021 4 National Library of Australia and progressively expanded its operations into all classes of building supplies.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39479351 Advertising Launceston Examiner LII, 288 Tasmania, Australia 3 December 1892 11 January 2021 8 National Library of Australia In late 1897 he commenced as a sole trader, advertising as Architect and Electrician, with premises at A.M.P. Chambers, Cameron St., Launceston.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39705801 Advertising Launceston Examiner LVII, 285 Tasmania, Australia 2 December 1897 11 January 2021 1 National Library of Australia The business developed rapidly, early major appointments were to the new wing of the Queen Victoria Hospital (Launceston) in 1900http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35355766 QUEEN VICTORIA HOSPITAL. The Examiner (Tasmania) LX, 112 Tasmania, Australia 11 May 1900 16 January 2021 3 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia, the new Devon Cottage Hospital in 1902http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64561643 Devon Cottage Hospital. The North Western Advocate And The Emu Bay Times Tasmania, Australia 30 January 1902 16 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia, a further new wing (Dunorlan-Noake) of the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1903http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153893354 QUEEN VICTORIA HOSPITAL Daily Telegraph XXIII, 67 Tasmania, Australia 19 March 1903 16 January 2021 4 National Library of Australia, the Saddler's Arms Hotel (Elizabeth Town) in 1903http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35564929 DELORAINE. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXIII, 229 Tasmania, Australia 25 September 1903 16 January 2021 7 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia and extensive alterations to St. Andrew's Church (Launceston)http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35826337 ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXIV, 258 Tasmania, Australia 28 October 1904 16 January 2021 3 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia. For a time Masters partnered with Alexander (Eric) Northhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52813517 Architect's Death The Examiner (Tasmania) CX, 40 Tasmania, Australia 28 April 1951 5 January 2021 4 National Library of Australia Architecture Institute The Tasmanian Association of Architects was formed in 1903 and Masters was involved at an early stage, holding the position of Hon. Secretary for several years.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12750479 TASMANIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS. The Mercury LXXXV, 11,186 Tasmania, Australia 20 January 1906 16 January 2021 6 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9912999 NEWS OF THE DAY. The Mercury LXXXVII, 11,488 Tasmania, Australia 10 January 1907 16 January 2021 5 National Library of Australia In 1908 Masters was elected president of the associationhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181625892 TASMANIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS. Daily Post I, 180 Tasmania, Australia 23 December 1908 16 January 2021 6 National Library of Australia and continued in various roles thereafter.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50715870 TASMANIAN ARCHITECTS. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXXII, 169 Tasmania, Australia 17 July 1913 16 January 2021 6 (DAILY) National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10380180 MEETINGS, ETO. The Mercury CI, 13,865 Tasmania, Australia 7 August 1914 16 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia About 1910 the association was renamed the Tasmanian Institute of Architects and in 1915 a Federal Council of Australian Architects was formed and the institute affiliated with that group.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50827790 INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXXIV, 180 Tasmania, Australia 30 July 1915 16 January 2021 8 (DAILY) National Library of Australia In 1919 Masters was again elected president and also to represent the institute at national conference.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11492525 INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS. The Mercury CXIII, 15,877 Tasmania, Australia 20 September 1920 16 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia In 1922 Masters was in a delegation of architects urging the government to seek input from the council in the design and planning for the national capital, Canberra.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23550957 CANBERRA. The Mercury CXVI, 16,956 Tasmania, Australia 4 February 1922 16 January 2021 5 National Library of Australia Throughout the 1920s and 1930s Masters continued in various roles with the Tasmanian Institute (eg vice-president 1934http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24951568 INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS The Mercury CXLI, 20,894 Tasmania, Australia 27 July 1934 16 January 2021 6 National Library of Australia; president 1935http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30107969 INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS The Mercury CXLIII, 20,258 Tasmania, Australia 28 September 1935 16 January 2021 8 National Library of Australia; past-president 1936http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25220560 ARCHITECTS' INSTITUTE The Mercury CXLV, 20,541 Tasmania, Australia 29 August 1936 16 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia). Electrical Engineer Masters was a strong advocate for the use hydro-electric power in northern Tasmania where the multiplicity of local councils tended to favour control of their own smaller plants. In February 1925 he published an opinion piece immediately prior to a referendum on the subject in Longford.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90807250 HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXXXIII, 30 Tasmania, Australia 4 February 1925 6 January 2021 6 (DAILY) National Library of Australia Launceston Technical School The Launceston Technical School (later Technical College) was established in 1888 and Masters was amongst the first pupils.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150326787 GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Daily Telegraph X, 28 Tasmania, Australia 1 February 1890 11 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia He was awarded a prize in Art at the first exhibition in early 1890. His association with the school continued his entire life. As a student he undertook instruction in Building Construction, Art and Perspective, Magnetism and Electricity.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39628216 TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Launceston Examiner LVI, 54 Tasmania, Australia 3 March 1896 11 January 2021 7 National Library of Australia In late 1896 Masters commenced as instructor in electricity, that class having lapsed for a time.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233288141 Reminders. The Tasmanian Democrat , 256 Tasmania, Australia 18 September 1896 11 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia Wireless Experiments There do not appear to be contemporaneous reports of Masters experimenting in wireless prior to 1900, however he was lecturing in electricity and magnetism from the late 1890s at the Launceston Technical School. Thomas Edward Self was the first to demonstrate wireless (to the Royal Society) in Tasmania in July 1898 and his experiments were widely reported.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9426282 ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA. The Mercury LXXII, 8849 Tasmania, Australia 12 July 1898 11 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia Likely Masters' experiments followed in 1899 and were limited to indoors rather than long distance. Masters' gave a lecture and demonstration of X-rays at the Victoria Museum in September 1901 and promised a further lecture on wireless telegraphy.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91659812 CURRENT TOPICS. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXI, 225 Tasmania, Australia 20 September 1901 5 January 2021 5 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia Finally, in October 1905 (post Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905 and apparently unlicensed), he gave a lecture and demonstration of wireless to the Launceston Branch of the Australian Natives' Association.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154021448 LOCAL AND GENERAL Daily Telegraph XXV, 247 Tasmania, Australia 17 October 1905 3 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia In November 1905 a further lecture and demonstration was given by Masters to some 400 persons at the Victoria Museum.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154020860 LOCAL AND GENERAL Daily Telegraph XXV, 281 Tasmania, Australia 25 November 1905 3 January 2021 6 National Library of Australia For this demonstration, Masters supplemented his own equipment by arranging the loan of low power Telefunken equipment from their Melbourne agency. This is believed to be the first land use of Telefunken equipment in Australia. Masters was aided in the demonstration by Post Office telegraphists G. Braithwaite and T. P. Richardson.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38809464 CURRENT TOPICS The Examiner (Tasmania) LXV, 286 Tasmania, Australia 1 December 1905 3 January 2021 5 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia In February 1906, HMS Pioneer anchored at Rosevears near Launceston and Masters was part of the official party. He inspected the Pioneer's wireless equipment and scheduled experiments using his own equipment.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151831537 ARRIVAL OF THE PIONEER Daily Telegraph XXVI, 38 Tasmania, Australia 13 February 1906 7 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia Masters, Richardson and Braithwaite set up the equipment the Albert Hall with an antenna attached to the flagstaff. In the following days, they successfully transmitted to the HMS Pioneer, at anchor and en route to Devonport, however the receiving was less satisfactory.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38073846 WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXV, 43 Tasmania, Australia 19 February 1906 3 January 2021 5 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia Masters continued with lecturing in wireless telegraphy and in May 1906 lectured on that topic to the St. John's Young Men's Club.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38084250 CURRENT TOPICS. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXV, 105 Tasmania, Australia 3 May 1906 3 January 2021 5 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia When the temporary AWA wireless telegraphy link was about to be established between Queenscliff and Devonport, local Launceston reporters sought out Masters for expert advice on wireless telegraphy principles and practice.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151617369 WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY Daily Telegraph XXVI, 164 Tasmania, Australia 11 July 1906 3 January 2021 3 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38094600 WIRELESS TELEGRAPH The Examiner (Tasmania) LXV, 164 Tasmania, Australia 11 July 1906 4 January 2021 6 (DAILY.) National Library of Australia There is no record of a licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905 having been issued for any of these experiments. Masters continued to promote wireless telegraphy in Launceston up to the start of World War I. Twin brothers Cyril Wilson Monk (later callsign: 7BR) and Alfred Brendon Monk who became telegraphists in the Naval Wireless Service in 1911 were pupils of Masters at the Launceston Technical School.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50657032 ABOUT PEOPLE. The Examiner (Tasmania) LXXI, 146 Tasmania, Australia 19 June 1912 4 January 2021 5 (DAILY) National Library of Australia Amateur Radio Masters is not reported as playing a part in the initial formation of the Launceston Wireless Club from August 1923 in the excitement of the commencement of the Wireless Regulations 1923.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153716852 THE WIRELESS CLUB. Daily Telegraph XLIII, 209 Tasmania, Australia 31 August 1923 14 January 2021 6 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153717932 THE WIRELESS CLUB. Daily Telegraph XLIII, 215 Tasmania, Australia 7 September 1923 14 January 2021 6 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153712435 NOTES ON WIRELESS Daily Telegraph XLIII, 221 Tasmania, Australia 14 September 1923 14 January 2021 6 National Library of Australia However, when the club soon restructured into the Launceston Branch of the Wireless Institute of Australia (Tasmanian Division), Masters was elected as one of the vice-presidents.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153721128 NOTES ON WIRELESS Daily Telegraph XLIII, 233 Tasmania, Australia 28 September 1923 5 January 2021 3 National Library of Australia In January 1924, he lectured to a meeting of the branch on the "Advance of Radio Science"http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153558435 LOCAL AND GENERAL Daily Telegraph XLIV, 22 Tasmania, Australia 25 January 1924 4 January 2021 4 National Library of Australia and again in April 1924 on "Magnetic Induction as applied to Wireless"http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153596200 LAUNCESTON WIRELESS INSTITUTE. Daily Telegraph XLIV, 89 Tasmania, Australia 12 April 1924 5 January 2021 7 National Library of Australia The first annual meeting of the club in September 1924 reflected general apathy of the members, the widespread man-made interference ("the Roar") being experienced in Launceston a major factor. Masters was thanked for his contributionshttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153694754 Progress of Wireless Daily Telegraph XLIV, 217 Tasmania, Australia 10 September 1924 5 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia and elected Chairman of the Council.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153690583 Launceston Wireless Institute Daily Telegraph XLIV, 219 Tasmania, Australia 12 September 1924 5 January 2021 8 National Library of Australia He published a detailed hypothesis on causation of the Roarhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153691911 ELIMINATING THE WIRELESS "ROAR" Daily Telegraph XLIV, 223 Tasmania, Australia 17 September 1924 5 January 2021 2 National Library of Australia, and set the resources of the club to locate and identify.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153688811 Tracking the Wireless "Roar" Daily Telegraph XLIV, 225 Tasmania, Australia 19 September 1924 5 January 2021 5 National Library of Australia However a competing club had been established in October 1924, the Launceston Radio Experimenters' Club, in response to beaurocracy and lack of actual wireless experimenting activities. The new club comprised the majority of Launceston's active experimenters and took up the investigation into the roar.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153709489 NEW WIRELESS CLUB FOR LAUNCESTON Daily Telegraph XLIV, 257 Tasmania, Australia 25 October 1924 15 January 2021 12 National Library of Australia Despite all efforts the roar remained for several years and progressively diminished as better power distribution equipment was implemented. In September 1925, the Wireless Institute of Australia (Tasmanian Division) was formed with a view to meeting the needs of all Tasmanian experimenters and Masters was elected first president.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153651734 THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA. Daily Telegraph XLV, 218 Tasmania, Australia 12 September 1925 16 January 2021 5 National Library of Australia From 1927, he withdrew from administrative activities in amateur radio, though his interest continued. In September 1933 the Launceston Technical College decided to commence a course in radio engineering and Masters was instrumental in this.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24891407 TECHNICAL COLLEGE The Mercury CXXXIX, 20,618 Tasmania, Australia 6 September 1933 16 January 2021 5 National Library of Australia In 1935 the College supplemented the radio engineering course with with a one year course specifically focussed on the award of the Postmaster-General's Department Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51918853 TECHNICAL COLLEGE The Examiner (Tasmania) XCIII, 284 Tasmania, Australia 7 February 1935 16 January 2021 9 (DAILY) National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51922555 TECHINICAL COLLEGE The Examiner (Tasmania) XCIII, 307 Tasmania, Australia 6 March 1935 16 January 2021 9 (DAILY) National Library of Australia In the lead up to World War I, in April 1939, the Launceston Technical College made available its facilities to the Royal Australian Air Force Selection Board for the examination of candidates as fitters and wireless operators.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52303288 USE OF COLLEGE IN CITY The Examiner (Tasmania) XCVIII, 27 Tasmania, Australia 13 April 1939 16 January 2021 6 (LATEST NEWS EDITION and DAILY) National Library of Australia Community Activities Family Masters married Alice Weymouth on 29 November 1899 at Launcestonhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40112937 Family Notices Launceston Examiner LIX, 291 Tasmania, Australia 6 December 1899 8 January 2021 1 National Library of Australia. At the time of her marriage, Alice was employed as a milliner, but subsequently devoted herself to her family. She was the third daughter in a large family of 10, her parents being Alfred Weymouth (carpenter, 1842 - 1925) and Martha Elizabeth nee Cooper (1853 - 1910). Harold and Alice had 5 children together: Muriel Frances Masters (1900 - 1979)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-D9K Muriel Frances Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , librarian, never married Thelma Francis Masters (1902 - 1960)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-DSV Thelma Francis Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , never married Alma Jean "Jean" Masters (1905 - 1933)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-D3X Alma Jean Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , never married Alan Ewan Masters (1907 - 1977)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99GB-DQM Alan Ewan Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , married Katherine Jean Will Enid Joyce Masters (1911 - 2002)https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GHWP-ZZY Enid Joyce Forward nee Masters' Details in FamilySearch Family Tree FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 2021 , married Edney Herbert Forward Legacy Further Reading https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/History_of_wireless_telegraphy_and_broadcasting_in_Australia/Topical/Biographies/Alfred_Harold_Masters free History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia Wikibooks contributors Wikibooks Wikibooks, The Free Textbook Project 11 January 2021 Biography, Alfred Harold Masters , References