[1888-1963]

 

Adolph Henry Seelenmeyer was born on 4 August 1888 at 109 Collins Street Melbourne. He was the eldest son of Dr Adolphe Frederick Seelenmeyer and his wife Alexandra Munster. 

 

He gained his qualifications from Melbourne University (MB, ChB Melb 1910).  He gained registration in Victoria in the same year.  

 

In March 1911 he gained an appointment as Junior House Surgeon at the Launceston General Hospital, and was registered as legally qualified to practise in Tasmania.  In March 1912 he became engaged to Edith Aline Le Souef [1889-1979], and were eventually married on 25 September 1914.  She was the daughter of the Director of the Zoological Gardens in Launceston.

 

In January 1913 Dr Seelenmeyer resigned as House Surgeon, effective from March 1913.  His intention was to go to England for further studies (FRCS Eng 1914).  He returned on 22 June 1914 aboard the 'Medina'.

 

Upon his return he was appointed Honorary Surgeon at the Melbourne Homœopathic Hospital from 1914 to 1926. He was listed in the 1915 edition of the Australasian Medical Directory as providing Outpatient services at the Melbourne Homœopathic Hospital. 

 

In her book about the Hospital, Jacqueline Templeton described Dr A.H. Seeley [Seelenmeyer] as 'an able surgeon and a man of great determination'.  For example, when in 1920 it was recommended that the Hospital should install an X-ray plant, Dr Seelenmeyer submitted an estimate of the cost of new equipment. 

 

According to Templeton:

 

also, it was noted that the Medical Officers had no representation on the Hospital Board:

 

He had practices at 341 High Street Prahran and 30 Collins Street (the latter being the same address as his father Dr Adolphe Frederick Seelenmeyer).

 

According to his descendants the brass name-plate of his clinic at 30 Collins Street was tarred and feathered during the First World War because the family name was associated with Germany.  As a result on 22 March 1920 Adolph Henry, along with his brothers and his father, changed their surnames by deed poll to Seeley.