When Stanley John Bancroft constructed his first crystal set as a young teenager in the 1920’s, it sparked a fascination with radio that lasted a lifetime.
Beginning with the PMG as a Junior Mechanic in Training and with an interest in radio, Stanley got his first job in broadcasting with 2CY, Canberra in 1938, to set up the parliamentary broadcasts.
Over the years Stan rubbed shoulders with Prime Ministers, politicians, lords and ladies.
He once met a lost Dutchman on the Yass road who turned out to be a German spy, off-loaded from a submarine with plans to bomb Parliament House.
In 1946 Stan transferred to the ABC in Sydney and was involved in the planning and technical aspects of every important event and broadcast for the next 30 years, including the Moon landing, broadcasts facilities at the Opera House, concerts, plays and serials produced by the ABC Drama Department.
When he retired in 1974 he was Supervisor, Radio Operation, Technical Services, NSW
Now his story is available to read, edited by his daughter Dawn Coleman, in the Adventures of a Radio Technician, My 50 years with Telecom and the ABC
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You can find more information about where to get this book here:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/32507585?q&l-format=Book%2FIllustrated&sort=holdings+desc&_=1585525203162&versionId=177362965
A brief biography of Mr Stanley John Bancroft can be found at http://www.memorial.act.gov.au/search/person/bancroft-stanley-john.
This includes his DOB, DOD, his time serving Australia during WWII, the events in history while working at the ABC, and reference to the book by Dawn Coleman.
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting Belfield
Thanks for documenting radio history, it doesn't happen often.
It is available on Ebay and at the National Library https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/237560128?selectedversion=NBD66436957