THE AUSTRALIAN SIMPLEX AUTO AUSTRALIAN SIMPLEX AUTO By Ron McMullen Former Telegraphist, Telegraph Supervisor, Senior Postal Clerk, Instructor and Postmaster in the Australian P.M.G

THE AUSTRALIAN SIMPLEX AUTO

By Ron McMullen Former Telegraphist, Telegraph Supervisor, Senior Postal Clerk, Instructor and Postmaster in the Australian P.M.G. Department.

The Simplex Auto semi automatic Morse code sending machine was invented about 1920 by Leopold Gilbert Cohen, an Australian Telegraphist. He was the ‘sole manufacturer and distributor’ until he enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F in late 1939. The Simplex is known as a ‘right angle’ model and inspiration for the Simplex was possibly gained from the Australian right angled Pendograph and the right angled American Mecograph both of which operated on the ‘tension release’ system and therefore did not impinge on the patent for the American Vibroplex machine. The Pendograph and Mecograph were widely used in Australia in the early 1900s before the invention of the Simplex. In 1923 it was adopted by the Postmaster-General's Department as a standard sending aid for the Commonwealth of Australia and was also extensively used in Railway Telegraphic Services. The Simplex Auto was issued to Morse operators to combat ‘Telegraphist’s cramp’ along with other machines such as Vibroplex and even Eddystone. Unlike such famous names as Vibroplex, there appears to be little recorded history of the inventor or the machine itself. There were four types of Simplex Auto models – the Standard, semi automatic; De Luxe, fully automatic ; a wooden based ‘in line’ model and a little known ‘in line’, Special, all based on the tension release system. No record of a patent can be found, but ‘The Simplex Auto’ was a registered Trade Mark. No Simplex bears a patent number. When Leo enlisted in the army (Australian Imperial Forces) in 1939 it appears that operations covering the Simplex Auto were taken over by other persons. Advertisements during this period show ‘obtainable from J. W. Layther S.P.C. Carnegie, SE. 9, Victoria. Australian Representative for Leo G. Cohen’. One Simplex S#6104 is labelled ‘made by Stuart Perrin’. This is the only known machine with this inscription and would have been after the war period. Perrin was a Telegraphist and Supervisor in Melbourne and is thought to have sold later model Simplex Autos up to the time of their demise when Morse was faded out. Leopold Gilbert Cohen was born at Kalgoorlie Western Australia on 11th August 1900. About 1914, he moved, with his parents, to Nagambie Victoria where his parents managed the Royal Mail Hotel. He was appointed to the Commonwealth Public Service on 18 January 1915 as Telegraph Messenger, Postmaster General’s Department Healesville, Victoria. Salary £39 p.a. plus living away from home allowance £12 p.a. About March 1916 he transferred to Nagambie Vic. as Telegraph Messenger. 6 September 1917 shown in Commonwealth Gazette as Messenger in Training at the Chief Telegraph Office, Melbourne. Salary £78. ‘In training’ meant that Leo was actually training as a Telegraphist. In the same class was J. W. (Bill) Layther, later to become his agent for the Simplex Auto. 1920 known to have been Postal Assistant, Unattached. Salary £126 p.a. ‘Unattached’ indicated that he must have previously been promoted as P/A and his substantive position had been abolished or reclassified. 1927 Telegraphist, Chief Telegraph Office, Melbourne. Salary £294 p.a. (Would have been promoted as Telegraphist long before 1927 as indicated by wording on early Simplex Auto labels. In 1934 he moved to the ‘Postal side’ with promotion as Senior Postal Clerk, Grade 1, (Assistant Postmaster) Hawthorn, Victoria. Salary £324 p.a. He then transferred as Senior Postal Clerk, Grade 1, Canterbury Vic. in 1937. Salary £324 p.a. 1939 may have been acting or promoted as Senior Postal Clerk, Grade 2, South Melbourne, Victoria at time of enlistment in the A.I.F. (Australian Imperial Force) on 13th November 1939 with the rank of Lieutenant (on probation), just two months after the outbreak of the Second World War. He was assigned to a Postal Unit with the 6th Division departing for overseas on 9.1.40 and saw service in the Middle East until disembarking in Sydney on 28.2.43. He was promoted to Captain on 28.10.41.

He then served in Northern Australia, being promoted to Major on 19.11.43 and served in New Guinea from 27.2.45. to 13.8.45. He was in charge of Army Postal Services in the Northern Australia region. On 29 August 1945 he returned to New South Wales and later to Victoria where he was discharged from the Army on 30.1.46. He returned to the Post Office after the war being Postmaster at Warracknabeal (this may have been a nominal designation, not requiring him to actually take up duty at that office), Burwood and Armadale (all in Victoria). He died after retirement, at Camberwell, Vic. on 30 March 1954.

SIMPLEX AUTO ‘MODELS’ 1st Model: The first Simplex Auto model is easily distinguished by the single finger/thumb paddle. Later versions carried the separate finger and thumb pieces. It had a black painted base with a small brass label reading ‘SIMPLEX AUTO ### L. G. COHEN MELB’ placed under the post carrying the dot travel screw. There were four posts along the front. There were separate posts for the dot travel arm and the dot tension spring. The bridge carried only the pivot adjusting screw and a semi circular cut out at the right hand end to provide access to the dash tension spring. One lead of the cord was attached to the top of the base by a single screw rather too close to the ‘U’ shaped frame carrying the dash tension screw. The other lead of the cord was attached to a smaller dash post than that of the second model. The vibrator arm was round with the damper post located at the rear center of the base. Fittings were all nickel plated. The under base current connection was via a brass strip between the dash and dot contact posts.

2nd Model: The second model had four posts located on the front of the black painted base and carried a label on the bridge with the name ‘Simplex Auto’ sloping upwards from left to right and ‘Leo G. Cohen Telegraphist C.E.T.O. Melbourne’. (C.E.T.O. Melbourne being the initials of the Chief Electric Telegraph Office). This may have been about 1923 when the Simplex was adopted by the P.M.G. Department. The bridge carried the semi circular cut out. The round finger/thumb piece of the first model was replaced by separate finger/thumb pieces and the lead for the cord placed on a terminal post positioned further to the back of the base. The dash contact post was also enlarged. The damper post remained at the rear center of the base. The vibrator arm was round with one side flat. Not more than about 400 had 4 posts; all later models had only 3 with the combination of the dot travel arm and dot tension spring. Some had all brass fittings. Early models had the damper post located at the centre back of the base and the damper screw had an insulated inset at its end or alternately an insulation stop on the dot travel arm screw. Later models with the damper located at the rear left end of the base had a plain screw, but the end of the vibrator arm was threaded and covered by an insulated sleeve.

3rd Model: The third model had a black painted base and three posts located on the front of the base. This model saw the amalgamation of the dot travel arm screw and the dot tension spring on the one post. It is identical to the second model in all other respects.

4th Model: The fourth model saw the dash adjustment spring relocated to the position formerly occupied by the fourth post although not on the base. A right angled piece attached to the arm carried the dash tension spring and screw. This resulted in a straight line of the bridge with no need for the ‘cut out’. There was also a change in the label with ‘Simplex Auto’ in large lettering at each end, curving inwards top and bottom to smaller letters at the centre. C.T.O.. (with two dots) replaced C.E.T.O. reflecting the fact that the word 'electric' was dropped from the Telegraph Office title which may have been about 1925/6. The actual size of the label was slightly larger than previously to accommodate the extra wording ‘manufactured by’ above Cohen’s name and ‘Vic.’ after Melbourne. The vibrator arm was square. This model was available with plated base or black painted base.

5th Model: The fifth model had changed wording on the label. The words ‘Telegraphist C.T.O.’ were dropped, perhaps indicating that Cohen had left the C.T.O. and moved to the Post Office side of the PMG Department (1934). The vibrating arm was round with one flat side. The flat circuit connection under the base was replaced by a round cable.

6th Model: The sixth model was called the ‘De Luxe’, being fully automatic; automatic dots and automatic dashes. They were quite a complex machine. These are easily distinguished by the ‘in line’ appearance, large top plate and the three paddles. Comparatively few were made, possibly because they had to compete with the ‘Automorse’ which had by that time become established and the fact that they required a further ‘learning curve’ and any advantage over using a semi automatic was not great. They are rarer than the Automorse. From this time, the semi automatic Simplex became known as the Standard model. The ‘De Luxe’ was the only Simplex to carry a circuit closer. If made, the ‘Special’ model may have. Early examples of this model had nickel plated bases (only 3 known to date).

7th Model: The seventh model had a fully round vibrator arm with the damper post relocated to the left hand rear end of the base.

8th Model: The eighth model saw the replacement of the square dash post with a round post and the deletion of the two terminal screws carrying the connecting cord and plug. One screw was provided beneath the base for one cord terminal with the other connected underneath the dash post. Some machines around this period were furnished with a long flat dot spring with a ‘hook’ at the contact end.

9th Model: The ninth model indicates two changes. The under base screw for one cord terminal provided only on the eighth model was deleted and that cord terminal placed on the bridge screw. The pivot adjusting screw previously located on the right hand end of the bridge was relocated beneath the base. This arrangement continued for all future models. Some left hand models of this type were made and perhaps of other models also. This was also the commencement of the black wrinkle painted bases and the sloping sides of the bridge. Generally models up to this period, with the exception of the two ‘cut out’ models had nickel plated bases.

10th Model: One remaining model bears no label at all and no holes in the bridge for fixing points. These were made for the Australian defence forces during World War 2 and the components appear to be of a poorer quality than previously. Some of these reverted to the PMG Department and possibly others such as Civil Aviation for issue to operators. Mine is stamped C of A 45 which was typical Commonwealth of Australia identification.

Left Hand Model: Various models were made in left hand versions. Possibly they were made as special orders when required.

11th Model: The eleventh model saw a significant alteration to the wording of the label. Cohen’s name was dropped, with the wording being simply ‘Melbourne Victoria’. However there is, as always, an exception. At least one of this model in the early 6xxx series bore the nameplate ‘The Simplex Auto (Regd) made by Stuart Perrin’. Perrin was a Supervisor in the Melbourne C.T.O. This possibly indicates the exit of Cohen from the business. Who manufactured later models is not known. Some bases in this model were 6¼" long instead of the usual 6".

Special Model: About 1938 a nickel plated semi automatic ‘Special Model’ Simplex priced at £2/5- was advertised along with the ‘Standard Model’ priced at £3/7/6. A later advertisement priced the ‘Special’ at £2/10/- being ‘obtainable from J. W. Layther S.P.C. Carnegie S1 9 Victoria Australian Representative for Leo G. Cohen’. This would indicate that it was later than November 1939, when Leo enlisted in the A.I.F. None of this model is known to exist and it seems likely that none or very few were actually manufactured and sold. The ‘Special’ bore a resemblance to the ‘De Luxe’, being an ‘in line’ model and having a large rectangular top plate supported on four posts. The ‘De Luxe’ model was advertised as ‘again available at £5/5/-’. The same advertisement stated ‘All Simplex Autos are guaranteed by the maker for ever against wear and accidental damage. Simply return the broken parts and pay postage both ways. No other charges whatsoever’.

Mystery Jigger: A completely new version of the Simplex Auto has just come to light (March 2014). It is an ‘in line’ wooden base model with a No. 3 label, 1067 attached. This indicates that it followed the C.T.O. or 4th model. It has some of the C.T.O. parts – terminal screws, thumbscrew, thumbnut, various posts and oddly the same paddle as used in the very first model. The triangular top pivot plate has a ‘Vibroplex’ Look. The vibrator is square rod with a square holed weight. The damper at left back is also simple and unique. Other parts are common screw types or plain brass. It seems to have an over long main arm. This leads me to believe that it may have been a prototype for the ‘Special’ model. As such it would have been quite reasonable to use a mismatch of parts. It was obtained from a 90 year old gentleman in suburban Melbourne who said it had been in his shed since the 1930s and previously belonged to his father. It has been professionally made and quite a good key to use. A second similar model, 1056 has turned up in Adelaide (August 2015), but no information on it’s history is available. This is another mystery jigger – Is it a Simplex Auto? Another mystery has appeared in September 2014. It has many Simplex Auto characteristics and could be an unknown version or a similarity. Black painted metal base 115 x 75mm similar to 2nd model, but hole for the bridge has never been drilled right through so a bridge could never have been fitted. All nickel plated fittings. Round vibrator arm with one flat side. Damper centre rear. Straight main arm with no joint. Black plastic thumb piece stamped RADIO. Black plastic finger piece which is not typical Simplex Auto type. Upright Z shaped post to carry pivot screw. Knurling pattern is thick and sloping – not typical of Simplex Auto. No label.

Oddities: At least two machines, 6594 and 6601 have bases 6¼" x 3" x ½" as opposed to the usual 6" x 3" x ½". 618 has all the parts of a Model 4 machine, but has the Model 3 plate. 3032 is a Model 3 C.T.O. This number is out of sequence and should apply to the next model. Perhaps an old label used very shortly after change to new model. Some machines in the 6000 series used three very thin metal strips in lieu of a single strip for the long flat dot spring. These appear to have been subject to failure of one or more of the strips and few have been seen. Leaflets: Each new Simplex was issued with an instruction leaflet of 4 pages. There were three separate designs, but in the absence of any dates on these it is not possible to say when the change to the new version occurred. One machine bought new in January 1939 had the second style leaflet. The third style is obviously after 1939 as it shows Leo as A.I.F.

First leaflet

Second leaflet:

Third (Wartime) Leaflet: These were printed on cream paper with brown printing and on smaller sized paper.

Advertisements:

Only two advertisements have been found and both with almost identical wording. The first one shown here was advertised in ‘The Australian Telegraphist’ of 20 February 1945, the period when Leo Cohen was on war service. The second advertisement would have been from a similar period. Note J. W. Layther’s address has changed.

It is a pity that little is known of the history of the Simplex Auto or its inventor. I have endeavoured to piece together some of it by reference to the Australian Archives for Cohen's war service record and from machines in my own collection as well as about 340 serial numbers and details provided by many others to whom I am grateful. There have been some minor changes to various parts of the Standard machine, but the overall design has remained largely unaltered. There has been a theory that serial numbers commenced at 101. The earliest known number is 120 and the latest 7335. All serial numbers were punched, apparently by hand, as evidenced by the uneven spacing and uneven alignment of the individual numbers. Leo may never have envisaged making even a thousand and by starting numbers at 101 avoided any confusion in numbers which may have been caused by others adding more digits at either end of his original serial number. Of about 340 recorded numbers there are only four (1003, unconfirmed; 1010 and 1067 actual machines held) and 1056 photo held in the 1000 series and none in the 2000 series. Perhaps, as sales increased Leo commenced renumbering at 3001 – one of the mysteries of the Simplex. I have used the term ‘model’ purely to indicate the various changes which have occurred from beginning to end. To every Australian Morse operator any Simplex was simply and affectionately known as a ‘jigger’. Their standard of manufacture and operation was equal to the best in the world. New information is gradually coming to hand and any further would be appreciated. Serial Numbers: Serial numbers appeared on labels and below are samples of the various types of labels.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

In the absence of any confirmed history of the Simplex Auto, I am assuming:

1. From about 1920 when the Simplex was invented Type 1 label was used. Before adoption by the P.M.G. Dept.

2. In 1923 the Simplex Auto was adopted by the P.M.G. Department. It may have been from that time that Type 2 label (‘Telegraphist C.E.T.O.’) was used.

3. About 1925/26 a wide ranging reorganisation of the Department was made and it is possible that the ‘E’ (Electric) was dropped from the title of the Chief Telegraph Office and Type 3 label was used, 1926.

4. Leo Cohen left the Telegraph Branch and moved to the Post Offices Branch in 1934 and this was probably the reason for ‘Telegraphist C.T.O.’ being dropped and the Type 4 label used. It is possible Type 3 labels could have been used for a short time after.

5. Between November 1939 and January 1946 Leo Cohen was on Military service and J. W. Layther acted as his agent for the sale of Simplex Autos and Type 4 labels were used.

6. Leo Cohen died in 1954 and it is unknown who produced the Simplex Auto from that time. This probably resulted in all reference to Cohen being dropped in Type 5 labels.

7. Simplex Autos without labels were made for the Military during World War 2 and are often found with non matching parts.

Following is a list of serial numbers and some details of each. My sincere thanks to those who have provided these.

SERIAL No. LABEL OWNER 120 1 Ron McMullen NSW Single finger/thumb piece.

On small brass label.

No Label 1 Ric Havyatt NSW (Deceased). Ids as an early model similar to 158 which

would have had a small label on the base

No label 1 Geoff Butterworth Vic Ditto.

151 1 Ron McMullen N.S.W. Stamped PMG both ends.

158 1 Ray Young NSW Label on base.

186 1 Claudio Ruggieri Italy Label on base. 202 1 Murray Gavin Vic Now with Coburg Historical Society 232 CETO 2 Garfield Williams WA Black base stamped PMG 2735 234 CET0 Ex Tom French USA 237 CETO 2 Ted Stanton NSW 259 CETO 2 Tim Patton USA Black base brass fittings. Engraved M Gelly

268 CETO 2 Northern Corridor Radio Group WA

275 CETO 2 Harold Franks NSW

281 CETO 2 Ron McMullen NSW Black base brass fittings

297 CETO 2 Les Edwards NSW Black base

312 CETO 2 Dave Couch WA (deceased)

337 CETO 2 Les Edwards NSW

347 CETO 2 Alasdair Taylor WA

361 CETO 2 Ron McMullen NSW

377 CETO 2 Dieter Bachmann Germany

404 CETO 2 Sold eBay 27/12/15

408 CETO 2 Ron Cooper Vic

417 CETO 2 Bruce Baker Vic


440 CETO 2 Harry Hannifie Vic

489 CETO 2 Allan Moore ACT Stamped PMG 2702 on base

507 CETO 2 Dave Couch WA (deceased)


513 CETO 2 Bill Morrow Vic

515 CETO 2 Chesleigh Bassingthwaighte Qld

530? CETO 2 Ted Rankins Vic

533 CETO 2 John Clare A.C.T. Black base

546 CET0 2 Adam Clune WA

557 CETO 2 John Riddett Vic

No number CETO 2 Bill Morrow Vic

562 CETO 2 Tony Rogozinski USA

577 CETO 2 Dave Couch WA (deceased) Old label no bridge cutout

579 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Nickel base

583 CETO 3 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW

609 CETO 2 Ernie Bell Vic CETO label on a CTO series jigger.

618 CETO 2 Ted Rankins Vic “ “ “ “ “ “ 664 CTO 3 Lynn Burlingame USA Black base 723 CTO 3 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW 739 CT0 3 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW

744 CTO 3 Ted Rankins Vic

803 CTO 3 Harry Hannifie Vic

814 CTO (parts) 3 Bill Morrow Vic

817 CTO 3 Ric Havyatt NSW (Deceased)

830 CTO Sold eBay March 2016

848 CTO 3 Jan Skoldin Sweden

850 CTO 3 Tim Patton USA

856 CTO 3 Helen Noonan (Leo Cohen’s daughter) ACT Black base

857 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Black base

858 CTO Herman Willemsen NSW Black base

869 CTO 3 Herman Willemsen NSW Black base

883 CTO 3 John Pattison NSW

911 CTO 3 John Riddett Vic Black base

913 CTO 3 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW

943 CTO 3 Hawthorn museum ex Bob Soutar.

979 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Previously owned by

Leo McGarrigle

984 CTO 3 Sold eBay Aug/12

1003 Not confirmed

1010 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Black base

1056 CTO 3 Jan Skoldin Sweden Wooden base

1067 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Wooden base

2695? Geoff Butterworth Vic PMG. Thought to be entry #3.

3001 3 Bob Crowe WA Black base

3010 John Kelly Vic

3024 Bill Morrow Vic Nickel base

3025 4 Ron McMullen NSW Nickel base


3032 CTO 3 Ron McMullen NSW Unusual for such a high

number to bear a CTO label

3065 Sold eBay Sep 07 Aust Engraved Wotherspoon

3079 Kevin Hornby NSW

3082 Tony Rogozinski USA

3086 Ernie Rowlings Vic

3087 Beechworth Telegraph Station Vic.

3089 Port Macquarie museum NSW

3105 Cec Mann NSW

3116 Colin Smith WA

3126 Alan Shephard Qld

3163 Tom Collins NSW

3168 Ted Miles NSW

3186 Geoff Warner Aust 1941

3202 eBay 8/06 No teleg

3242 4 Peter Graack Germany U dot spring L G C Melbourne

3255 Russ Heydon W.A.

3318 Bill Morrow Vic PMG 108

3348 4 Doug Woolley Paraguay

3357 Tom Grainger NSW

3359 Anton Klok Netherlands

3361 Bill Morrow Vic

3364 Daryl Govan WA

3370 4 Allan Greening Vic (Deceased. Since sold) U dot spring PMG ↑ 123 Nickel base

3375 Herman Willemsen NSW

3383 John Riddett Vic ex Ken McLeod NSW Bought new Jan 1939 by Ken. Nickel base.

3392 Allan Greenslade WA

3401 Allan Moore A.C.T. Auto dash

3411 Maurie Millani Vic Auto dash nickel base

3428 Herman Willemsen NSW Auto dash nickel base

3429 Derek Cohn USA Auto dash

3458

3460 Harold Inglis Vic Auto dash black base

3472 Wagga Wagga Museum Auto dash black base

3494 Tim Patton USA (since traded) Auto dash. Stamped 24.12.47 black base

3495 Bill Hall Vic Auto dash

3499 4 Ron McMullen NSW Auto dash black base

3506 4 Doug Taylor Qld Auto dash

3548 Hawthorn Museum Vic Auto dash

No. missing Telstra Museum Bankstown Auto dash black base

No. missing. See footnote Claudio Ruggieri (Italy?) Auto dash black base

3745 ?

3805 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW

3807 4 Herman Willemsen NSW PMG ↑ 132

3816 4 Ron McMullen NSW

3827 Ken Allan Vic

3851 4 Jenni Blasco Vic U dot spring. C R Turner stamped on bridge.

3855 Dunolly museum Vic


3869 4 Sold EBay Aug 2013 Nickel base

3873 4 Mike Patterson Qld

3875 4 Ron McMullen NSW Engraved C A Forman. Claude

Forman was a Sydney Teleg.

3913 Ted Hosking Vic

3927 Tony Rogozinski USA Nickel base

3941 Graham Hassall Qld

3986 4 Laurie Wallace SA Nickel base

4001 4 David Wescombe-Down SA (sold?) Nickel base very poor condition

4004 Alan Sawert Vic


4010 4 Telstra Museum Brisbane Qld


4026 Les Edwards NSW

4028 Fred Ryan A.C.T. (Deceased) Nickel base

4101 Peter Holtham Qld Nickel base


4135 John Snell UK Sold ebay 4/12 Marked underneath HMAS Vampire 1943

4167 Norm Campigli Vic

4170 John Snell UK Nickel base

4186 Hawthorn museum ex George Cooper Vic Nickel base

4205 Keith Grady Vic

4215 Hawthorn museum ex Bob Goodridge

4240 Harry Tazewell ? ACT (Deceased) Nickel base

4277 Ron McMullen NSW. Ex Harry Tazewell ACT (Deceased)

4300 4 David Wescombe-Down SA (sold?)

4313 Alan Jones Qld

4334 Jim Anthonisz Vic

4335 4 Fred Ryan A.C.T. (Deceased). Stamped P.M.G. 2771.

4339 4 Justin Giles-Clerk Tas.

4346 Sold eBay June 2005 $154

4357 4 Merrick Willcocks NSW Nickel base

4399 4 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW

4415 4 Herman Willemsen NSW Nickel base

4420 4 Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

4449 eBay 3/07 Sold to Germany

4459 B Tiderman Vic

4482 Hawthorn museum ex Ron Bastin Vic 1942?

4485 4 Bernd Kieck Germany Nickel base.

4488 Ted Rankins Vic


4571 Ebay 9/12

4591 4 Internet

4602 Brian Woods NSW

4627 Claudio Ruggieri (Italy) Previously Ric Havyatt NSW (Deceased)

4639 Ken McLeod (Deceased)

4658 Ross Wilson Canada


4669 Christian Chefnay France



4693 Ray Gervasoni Vic

4703 Ted Wales NSW

4728 4 Ron McMullen NSW 4766 Derek Cohn USA 4770 Ted Rankins Vic 4783 Reg Moger ACT (Deceased) Jul/Aug 1941 4796 Leon Duturbure Vic 4821 Dale Whatley Tas

4837 Des Jackson Vic (Deceased)


4930 Tom Fiddes Vic

4936 4 Ron McMullen NSW Sloping frame

4940 Chris Rogers Vic

4974 Sold eBay 2/06


4990 Ritchie Bright WA

4995 4 Drew Diamond Vic

5018 Kees Van Der Spek ACT (ex Bob Lillis)

5022 Lee Spencer USA Sloping frame

5035 Ken Knox WA 1943/44



5090 4 Doug Machin WA ex Fred Ryan NSW

5103 Brian Bowe SA

5111 4 Bob Maundrell Vic

5117 Hawthorn Museum ex Joe Devlin Vic

5123 Brian Bowe Qld


5183 Sold eBay 2/10 Very poor condition

5192 John Snell UK Black base

5206 Mick Clough WA (Deceased)

5209 William Freely USA

5217 Steve Smith NSW

5238 Nat Bishop NSW

5245 Keith McKenzie-Clark 1941/2?

5249 Beechworth Telegraph Station Vic


5276 Terry Conway Vic

5284 Ray Carter NSW (Deceased)

5307 Peter Shaw Vic

5329 4 Ron McMullen NSW Left hand Nickel base

5347 John Farnell W.A.


5392 Dave Pennes USA Black base. Sloping frame

5400 Geoff Cooper Vic Stamped PMG 217

5424 Peter Edmunds WA

5436 4 Ron McMullen NSW Black base. Sloping frame

5450 Alan Gibbs Qld (since sold)


5473 Tony Boddy NSW

5479 Doug Palmer USA

5492 Phil Collins NSW (ex Allan Madigan NSW) Nov 1946

5501 Kerry Power NSW Purchased new 1938


5547 Marshall Emm USA

5552 Derek Cohn USA

5553 Allan (Mick) Woods Qld

5559 Leo Nette Vic

5609 Les Edwards NSW (ex G Fuller)

5630 Frank Fletcher WA (Deceased)

5635 4 Larry Rice WA Engraved Arthur Harris Perth WA. Black base.

5662 Ray Langtip Vic (Deceased)

5678 4 Ron McMullen NSW Cohen Melbourne

5689 Mick Clough WA (Deceased)

5763 4 National Museum of Aust Canberra

5769 Alex Meregalli Switzerland Stamped PMG 253 and N Jones.

5776 Eamonn Gavaghan Vic

5782 John Houlder ACT Cohen’s name.

5786 Tony Smith UK Black base

5789 Mike Feher USA

5796 Dave Pennes USA

5807 4 Sold eBay Aug 2011

5819 Don Leonard Vic


5854 Derek Cohn USA

5859 Allan Madigan NSW July 1947

5894 John Binion Vic

5896 Stewart Browne Vic


5906 Allan Moore A.C.T. (ex Peter McGrath Vic)

5918 Terry Keays WA

5976 John Sydenham Vic

5978 Laurie Wallace SA


6035 Bob Baker Vic Issued 1949

6052 5 Maurie Malani Vic Black base

6061 Russ Kleinman USA Black base

6086 Warren Berbit USA

6101 5 Sold Ebay 4/12 Label ‘Melbourne Victoria’

6102 5 Ken Haby Vic “ “ “

6104 Dave Couch WA (Deceased) ‘made by Stuart Perrin’

6106 Barrie Field WA

6107 Bruce Broadway Vic

6110 Ken Knox WA

6129 Ernie Bell Vic

6135 Stamped PMG below and 281 below Sold eBay Aug 2011

6162 Bill Storer NSW

6207 Peter Fuller NSW

6232 Peter Holtham Qld

6270 Fred Maas USA

6283 Warren Berbit USA Sold eBay Nov 2005 A$370

6285 Peter Shaw Vic

6296 Keith Hanlon Qld Issued 1949

6304 Bill Higgins WA

6307 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW



6336 5 Fred Ryan A.C.T. (Deceased).

6343 Peter Hewitson Qld

6345 Sold eBay July 07

6361 5 Sold EBay June 13

6365 Sold eBay 2005


6382 Barry Donegan Vic

6402 Sold ebay March 2010

6403 David Harding NSW

6409 5 Alex Hodgson Vic Purchased new 47/48

6411 Derek Cohn USA

6415 Clyde Woods Vic

6436 5 Bill Pfeiffer NSW (EX Tod Wilmot)

6442 5 Chesleigh Bassingthwaighte Qld

6453 John Clare A.C.T. Black base

6457 Ricardo Crameri WA

6463 ? Black base

6485 Les Bedson Vic 1948/9

6506 Ken Huxley NSW June 1950

6532 Sold ebay 10/12

6536 Mornington Museum Vic

6537 Frank Koppie ACT (Deceased)

6542 Ron McMullen NSW. Ex Harry Tazewell ACT (Deceased)

6552 John Compton Qld

6559 Bill McCarthy Qld

6565 John Farnell W.A.

6576 Ray Young NSW

6579 5 Gerard Maira USA

6594 5 Ron McMullen NSW ¼" longer base

6601 Sold eBay June 2008 USA “ “ “

6602 Don Karvonen Aust

6603 Geoff Butterworth Vic


6666 Ebay Sep 2012

6667 Leo Nette Vic

6690 Ivan Thomas NSW (Deceased)

6701 Geoffrey Cohen Vic (Leo’s son) Stamped L J Hallowell (Melbourne Teleg)

6716 Bill Hall Vic 1952

6729 Derek Cohn USA


6778 Brian Jefferies Vic (Deceased)

6789 Les Edwards NSW

6796 Phil McGrath NSW

6800 John Mercer NSW

6804 Hawthorn VTM ex Graham Beecroft Vic

6805 5 Sold eBay Oct 2016


6828 Viv Wolfenden NSW

6843 Geoff Hunziker NSW

6870 John Binion Vic

6874 5 Jim Mulholland Vic (ex Peter Mulholland)

6875 Doug Cadioli Qld

6908 5 Ernie Rowston NSW


6919 5 Peter Shaw Vic Black base


6948 Max Ross Aust

6967 5 Fred Paull NSW

6972 Ken Black NSW

6987 Bankstown Museum NSW

6991 5 Ernie Rowston NSW

6995 Wagga Wagga Museum NSW

7004 Bryan Waugh Vic

7009 Noel Morris Vic

7017 Bill Fitzsimmons Vic

7029 Norm Campigli Vic 1953

7061 Darcy Jones NSW New 1952


7081 John Houlder ACT Issued 1953

7098 EBay Feb 2013 sold to USA

7118 Reg Wheller Qld

7119 Allan Moore ACT 1955

7124 Bob Lillis NSW

7127 5 Merrick Willcocks NSW

7163 Larry Mertins USA

7181 5 Telstra Museum Bankstown NSW Frame only

7197 Keith MacRae NSW

7201 5 Allan Greening Vic (Deceased. Since sold) Left hand Black base


7206 Rex Rutherford NSW

7210 Barry Donegan Vic

7212 eBay 4/07 sold to Spain PMG & No. stamped on base


7252 Warren Berbit USA Sold eBay 2004 A$250

7284 Steve Massey USA

7298 Jim Downward Vic (Deceased)

7335 Brian Turley Vic

C of A 10 Sold eBay Aug 2011

C of A 45 Ron McMullen NSW

No label Stamped PMG Sold eBay Aug 2011

No label Ron McMullen NSW

A Note of Warning: Early 2014, it appears some repo Simplex Auto labels may be being made – e.g. 3518 may be attached

to an auto dash Simplex previously listed as having the serial number and plate to which it was attached,

missing.

©2016

Documents

THE AUSTRALIAN SIMPLEX AUTO AUSTRALIAN SIMPLEX AUTO By Ron McMullen Former Telegraphist, Telegraph Supervisor, Senior Postal Clerk, Instructor and Postmaster in the Australian P.M.G