Fred entered the war in France on the 27th August 1915. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of bearer squads and an advanced dressing station. Though under very heavy shell fire, he worked untiringly for sixty hours, displaying splendid resource and power of organisation in attending to the evacuation of the wounded. This he successfully accomplished, showing complete disregard for his personal safety throughout."