FENTON Bede Liddell

The following information is courtesy of Ken and Pam Ling:
Bede Fenton was born on 21st September 1882 in Jarrow, Co. Durham, the only son of the Reverend Enos Fenton and his wife Margaret. He had at least one sister, Ellen Collinge Fenton, born in 1881. He was educated at Lancing College from 1898 to 1904 and Keble College, Oxford from 1904. From 1908 to 1911 he was an assistant master at Kings School later becoming house tutor at the School House. He gained his B.A. and M.A. in 1912. He left Kings School in 1911 to take up the position of Headmaster at the State School at Johore Bahru, Singapore, returning to England in 1915 in order to take a commission in the Dorset Regiment. He was promoted to Captain in 1915 and Major in July 1916. Just two weeks after his promotion he was killed in action aged 33.

Major, Dorset Regt.
Killed in Action, July 15, 1916.
Major Fenton was the only son of the Reverend E. Fenton, Vicar of Shotton, Sunderland. He was educated at Lancing College and Keble College, Oxford, at both places being a keen member of the O.T.C. He came to Worcester as a Lower School Master in 1908, quickly making many friends, and soon becoming House Mater in the School House. In 1909 he undertook the formation of the School O.T.C. This he did with immense zeal, thoroughness and efficiency, and the marked subsequent success of the Corps has been largely due to his wise initiation. He was a born soldier, a first rate disciplinarian, and a sympathetic teacher, revered by the small boys whom he taught. He left us in 1912 to perfect himself in modern languages, and after a year on the Continent, was appointed Head Master of the Government School at Johore. His task was a difficult one, but he was doing splendidly when the War broke out. Early in 1915 he felt the call of the War imperative, and throwing up his post he returned to take a commission in the Dorset Regiment, and was quickly promoted to a captaincy. He crossed France early in 1916, led his men gallantly in the great advance on July 1st, and received his majority just before fell. He was killed on July 15th when going out on patrol to discover a brother officer whom he believed to be lying wounded in front of our line. He fell not 15 yards from the German trench. His Colonel writes: “He was a splendid officer and a gallant gentleman.” This we know was deeply true. Felix opportunitate mortis.
W. H. C.

Source for additional information: The Vigornian, November 1916, No.87, Vol.VIII

Bede Fenton. Photo courtesy & copyright of Kings School Archives

A Memorial Service for The Men of Worcester and the Neighbourhood who have laid down their lives in the war was held in Worcester Cathedral on All Saints Day, 1916 at 7.30pm. Major B.L. Fenton, Dorset Regt is listed on the Roll of Honour in the service booklet under Old Vigornians.

Bede Fenton has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Thiepval Memorial.