Background
Fellowes was born in London, England, on 23 June 1895. He was the eldest son of William Gordon Fellowes, a barrister, and his wife, Marian Augusta Fellowes (née Hamilton).
Fellowes was born in London, England, on 23 June 1895. He was the eldest son of William Gordon Fellowes, a barrister, and his wife, Marian Augusta Fellowes (née Hamilton).
He was educated at Marlborough College, then a boys independent school in Marlborough, Wiltshire.
In 1914, he was offered a place at Merton College, Oxford. However, with the outbreak of World War I, he joined the British Army rather than attend the University of Oxford. Military service On 19 November 1914, he was granted a commission as a temporary second lieutenant.
On 15 March 1917, he was transferred to the training reserve and granted seniority in the rank of temporary lieutenant from 27 December 1915.
On 4 May 1917, he was transferred from the training reserve to the Royal West Surrey Regiment. On 2 June 1917, he was promoted to temporary captain.
On 6 September 1918, he was appointed adjutant of a service battalion of the Royal West Surrey Regiment. During World War I, Fellowes saw active service with the British Army on the Western Front.
As was common for those serving in the trenches, he spent some time in hospital being treated for gas poisoning following a mustard gas attack.
Parliamentary career Fellowes Fellowes returned from the war a decorated officer but did not take up his university place. Instead, in 1919, he joined the clerkship of the House of Commons. He held the appointment of Assistant Clerk to the House from 1919 to 1937.
On 31 July 1937, he was appointed Second Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons.
On 3 August 1954, he was appointed Clerk of the House of Commons, succeeding Sir Frederic Metcalfe.