Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect and motor engineer, of Belfast. William Bertram Fennell, son of John George Fennell by his wife Mary Dupré Fennell McIlwaine, was born in Belfast on 4 September 1876.(1) He was articled to VINCENT CRAIG  VINCENT CRAIG and  remained in Craig's office as an assistant for some time after completing his pupillage.  In November 1899 he entered into partnership.with JOHN CHARLES LEPPER  JOHN CHARLES LEPPER at 33 Waring Street, the practice being known as LEPPER & LEPPER & amp; FENNELL.  FENNELL.

It was probably in 1905 that Fennell abandoned the architectural profession and joined the Belfast motor firm of J.B. Ferguson, Ltd. He descirbes himself as 'Motor Engineer' in his 1911 census return. He died at home in Donaghadee on 26 January 1938. A keen golfer, he was honorary treasurer of the Golfing Union of Ireland circa 1922-30 and secretary of the Donaghadee Golf Club from circa 1918 until his death.

Fennell's pupils and assistants included HAROLD S. CLARKE. HAROLD S. CLARKE.

RIAI:(2) elected member, 1901, having been proposed by Vincent Craig, NICHOLAS FITZSIMONS  NICHOLAS FITZSIMONS and John Charles Lepper; ceased membership 1905.
RSUA: member; hon. secretary, 1904,1905;(3) resigned, Jan 1908, but elected hon. member.(4)

Address: Home: 11 New Road, Donghadee, Co. Down, 1911.

For works, see works of LEPPER & LEPPER & amp; FENNELL. FENNELL.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is Ifrom AA, RIAI office archives (Acc. 93/136), membership forms 1878-1909 (extremely fragile) and from the brief obituary of Fennell in IB 80, 5 Feb 1938, 99.

(1)
www.familysearch.org.
(2)
RIAI lists of members.
(3)
RSUA Jubilee Year Book 1951-1952, 5 (list of past office bearers).
(4)
Building News 94, 31 Jan 1908, 194.