(Image: FindAGrave)

Athelstan Fenner was born on 7 April 1886 in Cromer in Norfolk, the son of Doctor Robert Fenner and Elizabeth Marie Fenner (née Carter) of 38, Portland Place, London. He joined the Royal Navy in 1901.

Promoted Lieutenant in 1907, Athelstan Fenner was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS MERCURY ‘for training in Submarines’ . His first Command appointment followed in 1909 when he was appointed in command of HMS A3.  In 1910 he took command of HMS C37, taking passage to Hong Kong 1911 in company with HMS C36 and C38.

He returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and was appointed to the cruiser HMS WARRIOR.  He returned to submarines in 1914 and took command of HMS D6 the following year.   In 1916, he was appointed in command of HMS E1 in the Baltic Flotilla. He was awarded the ‘Russian Order of St. Stanislaus 2nd Class with Swords’ in July 1917.

On the disbandment of the Baltic Flotilla, he returned home with the bulk of the crews of the submarines in the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS ANDES arriving in January 1918 when her was immediately appointed to ‘Submarine K16 – Completing’ at the Clyde Yard of Beardmore’ and, after a short period of leave, joined HMS K4 for sea experience of ‘K’ Class submarines.

HMS K4 was sunk in a collision during the ‘Battle of May Island.’ on 31 January 1918. There were no survivors.

Athelstan Fenner is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No.28. His brother, who was a Guards Officer, was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916