THE OBAN RADIO STAFF

The first two Radio Officers to staff Oban Radio were Donald Morrison and Sam Kennedy. Both men served out their time at GNE until they retired.

Some of the others, who served the station for varying periods of time, are mentioned below.

Andrew Brown

Dick Bunting

With the imminent closure of Oban Radio, Dick transferred to Portishead Radio / GKA from which station he eventually retired.

Bob Dixon
Station Manager
1977-1980

Bob moved to become Radio Surveyor, later Senior Radio Surveyor, at Glasgow Ship radio Inspection Office.
Bob took early retirement from BT in 2000 and started his own business.

Bob Dixon - UK maritime coast radio stations oban radio gne

Finlay Mackay

With the closing of Oban Radio, Findlay returned to the family base in Wester Ross.

John Mackay

John was the last Station Manager at Oban Radio and last man out of the door. John continues to reside in the Oban area.

Donald Macleod

On closure of the station Donald transferred to Stonehaven Radio / GND from where his familiar voice continued to serve the maritime world for many years.

Doanld died while on a family visit to his home island of Berneray.

Donald Macleod - UK maritime coast radio stations oban radio gne

Bob Mason
formerly Portpatrick Radio/GPK
retired from Oban Radio / GNE

Bob was famous for his house building exploits and in North Connel had contructed a beautiful home in an idylic location on the banks of the loch.

Bob Mason - UK maritime coast radio stations oban radio gne

Donald Morrison was one of the original Radio Officers who opened Oban Radio.

Donald, a native of Barvas on Lewis, began his career in the GPO as a "red rider" telegram boy, and also spent some time on the cable ships. He was one of the stations Gaelic speakers and was also well known for his performances in Gaelic theatre and broadcasting.

Donald retired from the coast station service in 1977 and continued to live in North Connel until his death in 2003.

Donald Morrison - UK maritime coast radio stations oban radio gne

Bill Moffat was another early Radio Officer at Oban Radio. Bill went on to become Officer in Charge of Landsend Radio/GLD, Radio Surveyor and then Senior Radio Surveyor at Glasgow Ship Radio Inspection Office.

The photograph was taken at Bill's retiral in 1984, at which time he was Senior Radio Surveyor at Leith Ship Radio Inspection Office.

Bill Moffat - UK maritime coast radio stations oban radio gne

Some more former GNE names:-

Graham Alister (later Glasgow and Liverpool Ship Inspection offices)
Idris Gibson (laterly of Aberdeen Ship Radio Inspection Office)
Bill Henney
Ronnie High, retired as Office in Charge
Peter Howe (later Portpatrick Radio / GPK)

In June of 2000 Bob Dixon, with wife Mari and junior op Melville, paid a visit to GNE on a wonderful summers day, during which this series of phorographs was taken. In each case names are shown left to right
Donald Macleod Junior Op Melville Bob Dixon Mari Dixon Andrew Brown Dick Bunting
Junior Op Melville Bob Dixon Mari Dixon Finlay Mackay
Bob Mason Bob Dixon Mari Dixon John Mackay