Fred enlisted on 26th October 1915. He was 22 years and 10 months old, and was living in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire at the time. He embarked at Southampton on 11th April 1916, then disembarking the next day in Rouen, entered the war in France on 12th April 1916. Fred was posted to serve with the 1st Field Ambulance, joining them 'in the field' on the 24th. On 21st August 1916 he received a gun shot wound to his scalp, whilst in action at Bottom Wood. He was admitted into the South Midland Casualty Clearing Station then transferred, via No 31 Ambulance Train, to No 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen. On the 26th August he was transferred to England on the Hospital Ship "Asturias", and was admitted into the War Hospital in Reading on the 29th. He remained there until 14th September 1916, when he was transferred to the Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom. Fred returned to France on 16th December 1916, with HHH Reinforcements. He was posted to Rouen on 18th December. He then rejoined the 1st Field Ambulance on the 26th. He remained with the unit for the remainder of the war.