MORLET, Claude

Claude Morlet was born in Toowoomba, Queensland on 11 August, 1888 to John Stanislaus Morlet and Mary Alice Morlet (nee Brown). His older sister Muriel was born the previous year and younger brother Jack in 1890 when the family had moved to Dromana, Victoria. Claude attended Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, living with his mother and brother in South Yarra at that time. In 1908 he commenced a medical degree in 1908 at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a MB.BS in 1913. Early 1914, he commenced opthalmology training at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Victoria,enlisting for service on 19 October, 1914. On 14 November, 1914 he was made a Captain in the AAMC, embarking a week later from Brisbane on The HMAT Kyarra A55 with the 1st Division AIF. A month later he arrived in Egypt, commmencing 9 months service at the 1st AGH in Cairo.

Claude was keen to serve at the front and after much lobbying,he was appointed Regimental Medical Officer to the 11th Battalion, arriving in darkness at Gallipoli on 29 September, 1915. On 12 December, 1915 Claude was admitted to hospital at Lemnos with serious Typhoid. On 31/12/1915 he was transferred to Egypt on the H.S Rashwede, where he was admitted to the No 1 AGH in Heliopolis. Two weeks later he wwas discharged to a position as opthalmologist at the No1 Auxillary Hospital in Cairo.

Claude transferred to France in August 1916 to take charge of the 13th Field Ambulance. He spent a shoirt time at AAMC Training Depot in Parkhouse, UK. His services i France were recognised by a promotion to Major in January 1917 and then Lieutenant Colonel in November 1918. His actions were Mentioned in Despatches on 20 Jne, 1918 and  received a DSO on 1 January, 1919.

Prior to returning to Australia in 1920, Claude spent a short time at the Royal Eye Hospital in London. Upon his retuen he established a mediacl practive in Perth. He arries Mary Alice Brown on 10th April, 1928 and they had three children. His son Geoffrey has captured Claude's extraordinary personal and professional life in a book "Eyes Right", a summary of which is attached  this profile. Calude returned o military service during WW2, playing an important mediarole in the Mddle East. His younger brother Jack, also a medical practitioner, served in both Wars. Caluse passed away in Perth oon 1 November, 1972.