Virtual
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JUNGFER Carl Clifford CBE SBStJ MD FRACP FRCGP FRACGP

1903-1979

Carl Clifford Jungfer was born, on 9th October 1903, in Stockwell SA. His father was Carl Heinrich Gustav Jungfer, and his mother was Marie Therese, nee Drescher. He was educated at Adelaide High School and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS with distinction, in 1926. He was a resident at the Adelaide Hospital in 1927; he commenced general practice in Lobethal in 1928.  He remained in this practice, apart from his war service and study, for the rest of his life.  Jungfer married Melita Veronica Minihan, on 5th October 1928, in the Archbishop's Residence, on West Terrace, Adelaide, SA.  She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs William Minihan.

Jungfer joined the AAMC on 27th September 1939. Jungfer enlisted at Wayville on 2nd October 1941. He gave his wife as next of kin, and she was living at Lobethal. He was found to have healed pulmonary tuberculosis, and his medical classification was downgraded. He was called up for a period of part-time duty in 52 ACH at Wayville on 29th October 1942 until 16th December. He was again called up for part-time duty with 34 ACH at Loveday on 30th July 1943 until 10th November 1943.

Sir James Spence the first holder of a chair of child health in Britain and who visited Australia was a major influence on Jungfer in 1947 and he spent a weekend at Lobethal. He advised Jungfer to get his credentials. This led Jungfer to obtaining his FRACP in 1949. He also gained an MD for his thesis on rural child health. He carried out a definitive survey of Australian general practice in the 1950s, which assisted in the development of a postgraduate education programme for the RACGP. He worked part-time for the National Heart Foundation in student health. He was a member of the state committee of the RACP in 1958 and 1959. He was President of the RACGP from 1966 to 1968 and censor in chief from 1968 to 1971. Jungfer’s international reputation in his field led to him being made a CBE in 1965. He was also a Serving Brother in the Order of St John (SBStJ). The RACGP awarded him their highest accolade of the Rose Hunt medal in 1976. Carl Clifford Jungfer died on 25th March 1979.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD