He entered the Royal Navy Medical Service in 1903 and retired with the rank of staff surgeon in 1912.
In 1930 he made a major career change when he was appointed the first lecturer in Chinese art and archaeology at the School of Oriental Studies at London University.
In 1932 he became Professor of Chinese Art and Archaeology at London University and held the post until his retirement in 1946.
[1] Yetts's special fields of study were the Chinese bronzes and jades of the prehistoric period.
He wrote numerous articles, while his books included: In 1929 he contributed three volumes to the monumental catalogue of the collection of Asian art of George Eumorfopoulos.