Laslett family history

Frank Lasslett of South Yarra

Frank was born on 13 April 1912, one of twins. His parents were Alfred Ernest and Minnie Lasslett, a bank clerk and his wife, of Caulfield (page 144). Frank's twin brother Arthur died soon after birth.

Frank worked at the State Savings Bank of Victoria from 22 April 1929 until 3 February 1940 when he joined the Williamson Company as a Baritone. He has worked in theatrical jobs ever since.

Saw service with the RAAF during the WWII.

He is now a singing teacher in South Yarra. He recently sent me his CV so I quote it virtually verbatim:

Schooling Frankston State School 1917-1919 (circa).
Burnley State School.
Prahran Technical School.
Hassett's Business College, Prahran.

Work and State Savings Bank Of Victoria. 1929-1940
Studies. Singing, Italian, German, Accountancy.

Performances. Many amateur plays and Musicals. Later,
Operas with the National Theatre and Melbourne Repertory Theatre. Professional Singer from about 1935. A lot of work with the A.B.C. as recitalist, radio actor and stand-by. Engaged for J.C.Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company in 1940- Played Sydney (Theatre Royal) and Melbourne (His Majesty's Theatre) as 'Strephan' (Iolanthe) and sometimes 'Guiseppe' (The Gondoliers) and as 'cover' for other juvenile parts.

War Service. Enlisted December 1940 and did initial training at Laverton. Posted as assistant to Welfare and Entertainment at RAAF Headquarters Sydney (Point Piper). Later to Headquarters, Melbourne as Assistant to Staff Officer Welfare and Entertainments. To RAAF Officers' Course at Lindfield, Sydney. Passed as Dux and Commissioned l9th. December, 1942. Posted as Staff Officer Welfare etc. to Sydney Hqrs., then to Milne Bay, Nadzab, Madang and Port Moresby.

Civilian After discharge taking singing engagements again! and teaching at home (212 Alma Rd. East St.Kilda) - also at Allens Studios and at Temperance Hall. Fairly regular A.B.C. broadcasts and Opera roles as above.
Adelaide. Engaged as locum-tenens at Elder Conservatorium Of Music, University of Adelaide for two years (1948/9). Again regular recital broadcasts and some Oratorios.

London. Worked with tours of 'Student Prince', 1950/56'Goodnight Vienna', 'Merry Widow' (London and touring), 'Oklahoma' (2? years), and a pantomime.
Television - First commercial series 20 weeks, Wembly Studios. Live broadcasts.
Ice Pantomime at Wembly Stadium - 17 Weeks -sound dubbing.
Between tours and engagements worked as stage hand at Golders Green "Hippodrome".

1956. Left London from Tilbury 25th. April.
In Melbourne some small engagements and odd work, then engaged as Stage Director and Mechanist at Melbourne Little Theatre - later renamed "St.Martin's". Some time later moved to Upwey and lived there until mother's death.

In 1966, bought 17, Tyrone Street, South Yarra, and after doing considerable restoration, started teaching singing in evenings and weekends.
Theatre closed productions on 8th. Sept. 1973, so from then on taught singing full time.

LASSLETT. _ Frank, passed away Apr. 22, 2003. Great mentor, friend and sadly missed. Thank you for your guidance, support and friendship. - Paul and Raymond
Loved brother of Keith (dec.) and brother-in-law of Beryl. Loving Uncle of Ian, Robert and
Barbara. Rest in peace. Private cremation. (Herald Sun Melbourne: April 24, 2003).

Ray said that Frank went into care in February. Officially he died of prostrate cancer but really his body just shut down from old age – basically renal failure.