Metcalfe was born in Newcastle on 26 June 1895 to English-born parents. In October 1947, Metcalfe was appointed Commonwealth Director-General of Health, having been Acting-Director-General for more than a year prior after the illness and death of former Director-General Frank McCallum. He led the Department implementing the
National Health Act 1953, which consolidated the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical benefits schemes operated by the Australian Government. In 1961 he took on an appointment as consultant to Lederie Laboratories Products. Metcalfe died on 24 March 1971 in Sydney, aged 76. ==Awards==