LJ (Les) Elliston

Les Elliston, seen in 1980 at the 50th anniversary of the closure of Awanui Radio
Les Elliston, seen in 1980 at the 50th anniversary of the closure of Awanui Radio

Leslie James Elliston
Born: 22 Sep 1898
Died: 22 Aug 1984, age 85

Career:

  • Awanui Radio: Operator, from March 1918 (age 19)
  • Awanui Radio: Superintendent until closure on 10 Feb 1930, then dismantled the station
  • Chatham Islands Radio: Superintendent from 4 April 1930

Amateur radio:
ZL1GR, Auckland in 1980

Les was interviewed in February 1984 – just six months before his death – as part of the 150th anniversary of Kaitaia. In the interview he gives a good description of the equipment and the people that made Awanui Radio. You can listen to the interview by clicking the link below which will open a new window. The portion with Les begins at 3:07 and runs for 11 minutes.

audio

Les Elliston, the last superintendent of Awanui Radio, by one of the tower anchor blocks in 1980
Les Elliston, the last superintendent of Awanui Radio, by one of the tower anchor blocks in 1980
Les Elliston and his wife Florence during the Awanui Radio anniversary in 1980
Les Elliston and his wife during the Awanui Radio anniversary in 1980
Back L-R: Stone Fredericks, Bill Marsh, Bill Walker, John McBride, Les Elliston. Front L-R: Norman Rawlings, Dave Craig, Alf Pellow, Tom Ansles
Back L-R: Stone Fredericks, Bill Marsh, Bill Walker, John McBride, Les Elliston. Front L-R: Norman Rawlings, Dave Craig, Alf Pellow, Tom Ansles. Source: Mrs Lesley Goodall: “My mother Isabel Ansles (nee Hansen) wrote ‘Last of the VLA staff Awanui Radio North’ on the photo.” Kaitaia Library collection.