Frederick John Bascombe was English by birth, but living in Australia and working as a salesman. He was 21 years old, 5' 6" tall, with blue eyes and dark hair. His father, Frederick William Bascombe was his next of kin, living at Osborne House, Bathwick Hall, Bath, England. He trained at Broadmeadows, and was sent to join the newly formed 42nd Battalion at Tel el Kebir, Egypt. The 46th was raised in Egypt on 24 February, 1916, as part of the 'doubling' of the numbers in the AIF. Half of the men were new recruits sent from Australia, like Fred. Bascombe, the other half were veterans of the Gallipoli campaign. From Egypt, they were transferred to France, landing ast Marseilles before marching to fight on the Western Front, arriving 4 June, 1916. Their first major battle began at Pozieres on 4/8/1916. On 11/8/1916, Fred Bascombe was wounded in action, but but the wound was slight and he then returned to battle.  His second wounding occurred the next year, on 11/4/1917. By then the battalion was facing the Germans in a fierce fight at Bullecourt. Fred bascombe suffered a severe wound to his right arm, was sent back to England and admitted to the 5th Southern Hospital.

The injury was sufficient for him to be declared medically unfit to serve. On 17/12/1917, he was discharged and sent back to Australia on the 'Ulysses'. He is next heard of in April, 1918,  living in East Melbourne and applying for his wife to be given a free passage from England to join him. Unfortunately, as no marriage certificate was produced to uphold his claim, it appears to have been turned down.