Sir Bruce Lovat Seton, 11th Baronet (29 May 1909 – 28 September 1969) was a British actor and soldier. He is best remembered for his eponymous lead role in ''

Fabian of the Yard ''Fabian of the Yard'' is a British police procedural television series based on the real-life memoirs of Scotland Yard detective Robert Fabian, made by the BBC and broadcast between November 1954 and February 1956. It is considered the earlies ...

''.

Early life

Bruce Lovat Seton was born in

Simla Shimla (; ; also known as Simla, the official name until 1972) is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India. After independence, th ...

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...

, the younger of two sons of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Bruce Gordon Seton of Abercorn (1868–1934), 9th Baronet and his wife, Elma Armstrong (died 1960). He was educated at

Edinburgh Academy The Edinburgh Academy is an independent day school in Edinburgh, Scotland, which was opened in 1824. The original building, on Henderson Row in the city's New Town, is now part of the Senior School. The Junior School is located on Arboretum Ro ...

and then trained at the

Royal Military College, Sandhurst The Royal Military College (RMC), founded in 1801 and established in 1802 at Great Marlow and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England, but moved in October 1812 to Sandhurst, Berkshire, was a British Army military academy for training infant ...

Military career

Seton was commissioned into the

Black Watch The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The regiment was created as part of the Childers Reforms in 1881, when the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regime ...

in 1929 as a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army unt ...

, but resigned his commission in 1932. A brief interruption in his acting career came during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

and in November 1939 he held the rank of

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

in the 10th

Battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...

Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a rifle regiment of the British Army, the only regiment of rifles amongst the Scottish regiments of infantry. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 26th Cameronian Re ...

, ending the war as

major Major ( commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicato ...

(temporary). His service number was 44304 and he was awarded the Medal of Freedom.

Acting

Seton began his acting career in the chorus line at Drury Lane Theatre and starred in

Ralph Ince Ralph Waldo Ince (January 16, 1887 – April 10, 1937) was an American pioneer film actor, director and screenwriter whose career began near the dawn of the silent film era. Ralph Ince was the brother of John E. Ince and Thomas H. Ince. Biogra ...

's film '' Blue Smoke'' (1935) as Don Chinko. He played Inspector Fabian of Scotland Yard in the television series ''

'' (1954–1956). The series was based on the career of the former Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Robert Fabian, who usually appeared briefly before the final fade-out to wind up the story. Seton's last role was as the voice of Beadle in ''

The Wonderful World of Disney The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 to the present. The pr ...

'' (1962–1963). He fenced and boxed in the Army and was a founder member with other actors of the

Lord's Taverners The Lord's Taverners is the UK's leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. Its charitable objective is to empower and positively impact the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality.'. It was founded in 1950 by a grou ...

, a charity which raises funds to support participation in cricket.

Later career

In 1963, on 7 February, the death of his brother, Alexander "Sandy" Hay Seton (who had no male heirs), Bruce became the 11th Seton baronet. As Bruce also had no male heirs at the time of his death, in 1969, the title passed to his cousin, Christopher Bruce Seton (1909–1988). His address in the 1940s was 15 Learmonth Gardens in western Edinburgh.

Personal life

He met fellow actor Tamara Desni Willhelm (1911–2008) on the set of ''Blue Smoke'' in 1935, became her second husband in 1937 in London and divorced in 1940. He married his second wife, actress

Antoinette Cellier Antoinette Cellier, Lady Seton (23 June 1913 – 18 January 1981) was an English film and theatre actress. Early life and education She was born in Florence Antoinette Glossop Cellier in Broadstairs, Kent, England. Her father, Frank Cellier, ...

(born Florence Antoinette Glossop Cellier). They had a daughter, Lydia Antoinette Gordon Seton (born 14 November 1941).

Selected filmography

* ''

Flame in the Heather ''Flame in the Heather'' is a 1935 British historical drama film directed by Donovan Pedelty and starring Gwenllian Gill, Barry Clifton and Bruce Seton. It was made as a quota quickie at British and Dominions Elstree Studios. Much of the film ...

'' (1935) – Murray * '' Blue Smoke'' (1935) – Don Chinko * ''

The Vandergilt Diamond Mystery ''The Vandergilt Diamond Mystery'' is a 1936 British comedy crime film directed by Randall Faye and starring Betty Astell, Bruce Seton and Hilary Pritchard. It was made at Shepperton Studios as a quota quickie.Wood p.93 Cast * Betty Astell as ...

'' (1936) – Hardcastle * ''

Wedding Group ''Wedding Group'' is a 1936 British drama film directed by Alex Bryce and Campbell Gullan and starring Fay Compton, Patric Knowles and Barbara Greene. It was made at Wembley Studios as a quota quickie. The film was released in the US under the ti ...

'' (1936) – Dr. Jock Carnegie * '' The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'' (1936) – Mark * '' Melody of My Heart'' (1936) – Jim Brent * '' The End of the Road'' (1936) – Donald Carson * '' Jack of All Trades'' (1936) – Dancer (uncredited) * '' Love from a Stranger'' (1937) – Ronald Bruce * ''

Cafe Colette ''Cafe Colette'' is a 1937 British thriller film directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Paul Cavanagh, Greta Nissen in her final film role and Sally Gray. It was also released under the alternative title ''Danger in Paris''. The film was made at ...

'' (1937) – Roger Manning * '' Racing Romance'' (1937) – Harry Stone * ''

Fifty-Shilling Boxer ''Fifty-Shilling Boxer'' is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Bruce Seton, Nancy O'Neil and Moore Marriott. Its plot concerns a young circus boxer who attempts to make a career for himself in the world of profe ...

'' (1937) – Jack Foster * '' Father Steps Out'' (1937) – Johnnie Miller * '' The Green Cockatoo'' (1937) – Madison – Tall Henchman * ''

Weddings Are Wonderful ''Weddings Are Wonderful'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring June Clyde, Esmond Knight and René Ray. It was made at Walton Studios.Wood p.99 Synopsis When she discovers that he has been cut off by his fa ...

'' (1938) – John Smith * ''

You're the Doctor ''You're the Doctor'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Roy Lockwood and starring Barry K. Barnes, Googie Withers and Norma Varden. The screenplay concerns a young woman who pretends to be ill to avoid going on a cruise with her parent ...

'' (1938) – Appleby * ''

Miracles Do Happen ''Miracles Do Happen'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Jack Hobbs, Bruce Seton and Marjorie Taylor. It was made at Isleworth Studios as a quota quickie.Wood p.101 Cast * Jack Hobbs as Barry Strangeways * ...

'' (1939) – Rodney Gilmore * ''

Annie Laurie "Annie Laurie" is an old Scottish song based on a poem said to have been written by William Douglas (1682?–1748) of Dumfriesshire, about his romance with Annie Laurie (1682–1764). The words were modified and the tune was added by Alicia Sco ...

'' (1939) – Jamie Turner * ''

Old Mother Riley Joins Up ''Old Mother Riley Joins Up'' is a 1940 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Arthur Lucan, Kitty McShane, Martita Hunt, Bruce Seton and Garry Marsh. It was part of the long-running Old Mother Riley series. Plot summary O ...

'' (1939) – Lt. Travers * ''

Lucky to Me ''Lucky to Me'' is a 1939 British musical comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Stanley Lupino, Phyllis Brooks and Barbara Blair. It was based on Lupino's own 1928 stage show ''So This is Love'' which he had co-written with actor ...

'' (1939) – Lord 'Tiny' Tyneside * '' Return to Yesterday'' (1940) – Journalist (uncredited) * '' The Middle Watch'' (1940) – Captain Randall * '' The Curse of the Wraydons'' (1946) – Jack Wraydon / Spring-Heeled Jack * ''

Bond Street Bond Street in the West End of London links Piccadilly in the south to Oxford Street in the north. Since the 18th century the street has housed many prestigious and upmarket fashion retailers. The southern section is Old Bond Street and the ...

'' (1948) – Sergeant * ''

The Story of Shirley Yorke ''The Story of Shirley Yorke'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Derek Farr, Dinah Sheridan and Margaretta Scott. The film was based on the play '' The Case of Lady Camber'' by Horace Annesley Vachell. It w ...

'' (1948) – Captain Sharp * ''

Bonnie Prince Charlie Bonnie, is a Scottish given name and is sometimes used as a descriptive reference, as in the Scottish folk song, My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean. It comes from the Scots language word "bonnie" (pretty, attractive), or the French bonne (good). That ...

'' (1948) – Allan Macrae (uncredited) * ''

Scott of the Antarctic Captain Robert Falcon Scott, , (6 June 1868 – c. 29 March 1912) was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the ''Discovery'' expedition of 1901–1904 and the ill-fated ''Terra Nov ...

'' (1948) – Lt. H. Pennell R.N. * ''

Look Before You Love ''Look Before You Love'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by Harold Huth and starring Margaret Lockwood, Griffith Jones and Maurice Denham. Plot summary A woman working in the British Embassy in Brazil falls in love and marries a man, bu ...

'' (1948) – Johns * '' Whisky Galore!'' (1949) – Sergeant Odd * '' The Blue Lamp'' (1950) – PC Campbell * ''

Paul Temple's Triumph ''Paul Temple's Triumph'' is a 1950 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley, Dinah Sheridan and Jack Livesey. It was the third in the series of four Paul Temple films made at Nettlefold Studios, and was an adaptat ...

'' (1950) – Bill Bryant * '' Seven Days to Noon'' (1950) – Brigadier Grant (uncredited) * '' Portrait of Clare'' (1950) – Lord Steven Wolverbury * ''

Blackmailed Blackmail is an act of coercion using the threat of revealing or publicizing either substantially true or false information about a person or people unless certain demands are met. It is often damaging information, and it may be revealed to fa ...

'' (1951) – Supt. Crowe * ''

Worm's Eye View ''Worm's Eye View'' is a 1951 British Technicolor comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Ronald Shiner as Sam Porter and Diana Dors as Thelma. Based on the successful play of the same name by R.F. Delderfield, it was produced by He ...

'' (1951) – Squadron Leader Briarly * '' White Corridors'' (1951) – Policeman * ''

High Treason Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplo ...

'' (1951) * '' Take Me to Paris'' (1951) – Gerald Vane * ''

Emergency Call Most public switched telephone networks have a single emergency telephone number (sometimes known as the universal emergency telephone number or the emergency services number) that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assista ...

'' (1952) – Sgt. Bellamy * '' The Second Mrs Tanqueray'' (1952) – Gordon Jayne * '' The Cruel Sea'' (1953) – Tallow * '' Mogambo'' (1953) – Wilson (uncredited) * ''

Eight O'Clock Walk ''Eight O'Clock Walk'' is a 1954 British drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Richard Attenborough, Cathy O'Donnell, Derek Farr and Maurice Denham. Its plot involves a taxi driver who is tried for the murder of a young girl on a bo ...

'' (1954) – D. C. I. * '' Doctor in the House'' (1954) – Police Driver (uncredited) * '' Delayed Action'' (1954) – Sellars * '' Man of the Moment'' (1955) – Fabian of the Yard (uncredited) * '' Breakaway'' (1956) – Webb * '' Morning Call'' (1957) – Inspector S.G. Brown * '' There's Always a Thursday'' (1957) – James Pelly * ''

West of Suez ''West of Suez'', released in the United States as ''The Fighting Wildcats'', is a 1957 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree and starring Keefe Brasselle, Kay Callard and Karel Stepanek. Premise An adventurer is hired to assassinat ...

'' (1957) – Major Osborne * '' The Crooked Sky'' (1957) – Inspector 'Mac' Macauley * '' Undercover Girl'' (1958) – Ted Austin * '' The Heart of a Man'' (1959) – River Police Inspector (uncredited) * '' Strictly Confidential'' (1959) – Inspector Shearing * ''

Make Mine a Million ''Make Mine a Million'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed by Lance Comfort, starring Arthur Askey, Sid James, and Bernard Cribbins. The film parodies the stuffiness of the 1950s BBC and the effect of television advertising in the era. It w ...

'' (1959) – Supt. James * '' Violent Moment'' (1959) – Inspector Davis * '' The 39 Steps'' (1959) – Policeman on Train (uncredited) * ''

John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-American naval captain who was the United States' first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War. He made many friends among U.S political elites ( ...

'' (1959) – 1st Villager * '' Carry On Constable'' (1960) – (uncredited) * ''

Trouble with Eve ''Trouble with Eve'' is a low budget 1960 British comedy film directed by Francis Searle and starring Hy Hazell, Sally Smith, Robert Urquhart and Garry Marsh. It was based on the play ''Widows are Dangerous'' by June Garland. It was shot at W ...

'' (1960) – Col. Digby-Phillpotts * '' Operation Cupid'' (1960) – Representative * ''

The League of Gentlemen ''The League of Gentlemen'' is a surreal British comedy horror sitcom that premiered on BBC Two in 1999. The programme is set in Royston Vasey, a fictional town in northern England, originally based on Alston, Cumbria, and follows the live ...

'' (1960) – Patrolman (uncredited) * ''

Just Joe ''Just Joe'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers, and starring Leslie Randall, Joan Reynolds, Michael Shepley, and Anna May Wong. The unassuming Joe (Leslie Randall) discovers his heroic side when he becomes involved with ...

'' (1960) – Charlie * ''

Freedom to Die ''Freedom to Die'' is a 1961 British second feature crime thriller film directed by Francis Searle, starring Paul Maxwell and Felicity Young. Plot Craig Owen is an incarcerated criminal whose cellmate Felix knows about a safety deposit box with v ...

'' (1961) – Felix * '' Gorgo'' (1961) – Prof. Flaherty * '' Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog'' (1961) – Prosecutor * ''

The Frightened City ''The Frightened City'' is a 1961 British neo-noir gangster film about extortion rackets and gang warfare in the West End of London. It stars Herbert Lom, John Gregson and a pre-Bond Sean Connery, who plays a burglar called Paddy Damion. He ...

'' (1961) – Assistant Commissioner * '' Ambush in Leopard Street'' (1962) – Nimmo * ''

The Pot Carriers ''The Pot Carriers'' is a 1962 British comedy-drama film directed by Peter Graham Scott and produced by Gordon Scott for ABPC. It stars Ronald Fraser, Paul Massie, Carole Lesley and Dennis Price. The film is largely set in Wandsworth pris ...

'' (1962) – Prison Officer I / C Cell Block * ''

Dead Man's Evidence ''Dead Man's Evidence'' is a 1962 British crime thriller film directed by Francis Searle. Its plot follows a British spy sent to Ireland to investigate the death of a former colleague who defected and who has been found dead on a beach. Cast * Co ...

'' (1962) – Colonel James Somerset * '' Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow'' (1963) – Beadle

Honours

*7 February 1963

Baronet A baronet ( or ; abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (, , or ; abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the British Crown. The title of baronet is mentioned as early as the 14t ...

, 11th baronet, of Abercorn (''cr.'' 1663) *1947 Medal of Freedom

Arms

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Gentry, 107th edition

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seton, Bruce Actors awarded knighthoods Baronets in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia British male film actors British Army personnel of World War II Black Watch officers Cameronians officers Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst 1909 births 1969 deaths People educated at Edinburgh Academy People from Shimla British male television actors 20th-century British male actors Bruce