Frederick Buddon was 36 years old, 5' 9", 11 stone, 8 lbs., with fair hair and blue eyes when he enlisted on 27/1/1915. He listed his occupation as Commercial Traveller and gave his next of kin as his sister, Sister Laura Buddon, 150 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. He had had extensive military experience, having served ninetten years in the Citizens' Military Force, Y Company Rangers. He joined the 21st Battalion AIF, which was sent to Egypt, arriving in June, 1915 . They proceeded to Gallipoli in late August, having an eventful voyage, with the transport which was carrying them was torpedoed near the island of Lemnos.They landed at Anzac Cove on 7 September and had a fairly quiet time, with the major actions being over by then. 

Buddon had been promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 14/11/15. On 5/2/1916, he was sent to the School of Instruction in the Canal Zone and attached to the 6th Training Battalion. However, on 1 April, he was sent to hospital with varicose veins, a problem that would trouble him for the whole of his military service. In April, he was placed with the 5th Training Battalion, but in May, he was back on duty with the 6th Training Battalion at Tel-el Kebir. He remained in Egypt until 1 June, when the battalion embarked from Alexandria for England arriving in 11 June, 1916.

It is apparent from his record that Buddon was regarded as a good soldier and an excellent trainer of young men. He was placed at Rollestone with A Company, 6th Training Battalion for five months, before being sent overseas on 14 June for the front, rejoining the 21st Battalion in France on 23 June. He remained there only three weeks, before being recalled to England in July, back to the 6th Training Battalion. In October that year, he completed the 37th Army Course - Physical and Bayonet Instruction. In April, 1917, he was appointed Quartermaster with the 6th Training Battalion.

He may well have thought it not enough to train others to fight, without being at the front himself, or perhaps it was his duty to take the men he trained to the front. On 3 February, 1918, he was again sent overseas to France, joining his unit at Le Havre on  6 February and his battalion in the field on 9 February. On 19 February, his secondment to the 6th Training Battalion was ended and he resumed regimental duties.  In March, he was given 20 days leave, and on his return to service he wrote to the authorities in England, asking to be discharged.

In his letter, he pointed out that he was now 43 years old, had been serving for three years and was suffering from varicose veins which made long marches impossible. He wrote:

                              During the last two years I have been a victim to Insomnia and this has been one of the causes of a          complete loss of nerve ... should a crisis arrive in which a good nerve would be necessary I have no confidence in myself that I would be equal to such an occasion.

A letter in support from a medical officer cited the varicose veins, plus that Buddon suffered from chronic bronchitis, while the commanding officer of the 21st Battalion, writing in support of Buddon's discharge from service, wrote of him

          Herewith application from the above-mentioned officer for return to Australia. Lieutenant Buddon is an                     original member of this Battalion, leaving Australia as a Reg. Sgt. Major. He was commissioned at Anzac on 14/11/1915, was later evacuated sick, thence to 6th Training Battalion in Egypt and England.

           In my opinion he is physically and mentally weak, has lost all nerve power and I have not sufficient    confidence in him to give him any responsibility as I consider should a crisis arise, he would not be able to avert a catastrophe.

Buddon's appointment was terminated on 29 July, 1918, and he was returned to Australia.