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Awards & Recognition ...1940s - This is the station that in the early 1940s had already been presented with the prestigious "Beaver Award" for broadcasting excellence and community service. This award, presented by the industry newspaper, "Canadian Broadcaster," chose CKNX radio above all 82 privately owned and operated stations in Canada and 11 government owned and operated stations from coast to coast. (Carbert essay, 1995) p.18
1957 - "The criss-crossed, red and white painted TV tower of station CKNX, Wingham (pop 2,800), soars 650 feet over the rich and rolling farmlands of Western Ontario that run inland from Lake Huron. Known to viewers as "Channel 8", the station beams in on an estimated 12,000 mainly rural homes, Wingham's is the only privately-owned rural television station in North America, the only small town TV station in Canada. A live and hustling enterprise, the station won last year's Showmanship Award given by Liberty magazine, edging out all of Canada's 35 other privately-owned stations. (O-1, 1958) p.15
November 16, 1962 - W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank was made an honorary life member of the Central Canada Broadcasters' Association.
1967 - W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank is awarded the Centennial Medal for his contribution in large measure to the progress of his community and the nation.
1967-68 - W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank was recognized for his contribution to public services from the Ontario Manpower Centres.
1986 - W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank was inducted posthumously into the Broadcast Hall of Fame, located in Ottawa. A copy of the plaque will be on display at CKNX Broadcasting Limited in Wingham. Induction ceremonies took place during the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in Vancouver in October 1986. (WAT-5,1986)
1987 - W.T. Cruickshank inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in Milton, Ontario, along with James G. Cockshutt, Fredrick W. Cohoe, William Charles Good and J. Elgin Armstrong. He was nominated by CKNX Broadcasting Ltd - Andy McTavish, R.G. Bennett, William Turnbull and George Gear. His nomination reads, " Farm people in Western Ontario acknowledge a deep debt of gratitude for the efforts of W.T. Cruickshank on their behalf. His radio station, CKNX, first established in 1926, was always known as the "Ontario Farm Station". In 1939, the first of a trial series of Farm Radio Forum programs was aired on CKNX, paving the way for the National Farm Radio Forum programs on CBC. When a television licence was granted in 1955, CKNX again established a new mark on the broadcasting industry. Graduates of the CKNX Farm Broadcast Department have gone on to serve in key positions in Ontario Agriculture. (PR-1, 1987)
Local Honours -
He was made an Honorary Kinsmen member.
He was presented with a bible from the Wingham Ministerial Association.
He was given the Award of Merit from the Wingham Branch 180 of the Royal Canadian Legion for services, help and cooperation in the furtherance of the Canadian Legion. It was the first time this award was given to a radio or TV station in the history of the Ontario command.
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News clippings detailing the awards won by CKNX & W.T. Cruickshank over the years.1955-1980
CKNX Television & Radio station, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Wingham Library, Wingham, Ontario
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W.T. Cruickshank was recognized by the Manpower Centre for his and his station's public service.CKNX Television & Radio station, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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W.T. Cruickshank on the cover of Canadian Broadcaster & Telescreen, 19577 November 1957
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Ross & Carol Hamilton
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W.T. Cruickshank was made an honorary life member of the Central Can. Broadcasters Association16 October 1962
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Wingham Library, Wingham, Ontario
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Who Knew? ...On another occasion, Doc is said to have dropped in for some conversation at Omer Hazelgrove's poolroom on main street in Wingham where he found one of his staff, a certain sportscaster, at one of the tables. Doc settled in to watch and when the game was concluded he was challenged by his employee to play against this chap who fancied himself to be something of an expert. Whether he hoped to impress or embarrass Doc is unknown, but after much badgering Doc agreed, took down a cue, chalked the end, and after the break proceeded to "clean the table". Then, to the deep embarrassment of his opponent, he racked up his cue, thanked him for the game and sauntered out. Lesson learned. (Carbert essay, 1995) p.7
Doc Cruickshank loved sports. As a young man he played baseball and he also acquired some considerable skill in the game of billiards, something that most young men of his generation were wont to do in their spare time, even if their mothers took a dim view of them "hanging out" in the pool hall. But sports had to take a second place in the life of this young man who was trying to earn a living in a society that lacked today's secure social safety net. In the words of that now famous Smith Barney TV Commercial, "We got our reputation in the good old fashioned way, we earned it." (Carbert essay, 1995, p. 6)
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Haselgrove's Pool Hall - Doc Cruickshank shot a mean game of pool here on occasion.1940s
Haselgrove's Pool Hall, Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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Letter about W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank written by Ross Hamiltonn1970s
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Wingham Library, Wingham, Ontario
Wingham Professional Businesswomen's Association
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Letter about W.T. "Doc" Cruickshank written by John Langridge1970s
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Wingham Professional Businesswomen's Association
Wingham Library, Wingham, Ontario
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Story about Johnny Brent's experience working with W.T. Cruickshank1940-1970
CKNX Television & Radio station, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:Wingham Library, Wingham, Ontario
Wingham Professional Businesswomen's Association
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W.T. Cruickshank worked with many community groups, like the Salvation Army Advisory Board.1965-1966
Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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This letter outlines CKNX's role in the formation of the Western Ontario Athletic Association1942
CKNX Television & Radio station, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
Wingham Professional Businesswomen's Association
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A. Lockridge worked with W.T. Cruickshank to form and run the Western Ontario Athletic Association.1942-now
Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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CKNX was open for tours and lucky visitors often got to meet with W.T. Cruickshank while on tour.1955-1970
CKNX Radio and Television building, Carling Terrace, Wingham, Ontario
Credits:North Huron Museum, Wingham, Ontario
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