Career
A native of Lismore, New South Wales. Carlton first came to the sporting public"s notice as a junior in 1927 running the 100 y in 10.0 s and the 220 y in 21.8 son He competed in the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam but was run out in the quarter-finals, his form affected by illness (quinsy).
Though selected for the 1930 British Empire Games, Carlton did not run.
In 1931 Carlton equalled Eddie Tolan"s world record for 100 yards of 9.4 s but the record was disallowed as the time had only been taken on two stop watches. His 9.6 national record, set in 1930, stood for twenty-three years.
He also ran a wind-assisted 21.0 s for the 220 y (turn) and beat the great American sprinter George Simpson. The judge reportedly used a piece of wood to ascertain the wind speed and his decision was disputed by observers present at the time.
The time Carlton ran was not to be legitimately run until after the Second World War.
Carlton"s subsequent announcement of his retirement from athletics and to enter a Catholic seminary in order to become a priest rather than competing at the 1932 Olympics also created controversy. Carlton left the priesthood in 1945 to marry, becoming a teacher. He died in 1951 at only 42 years of age of asthma.
