Frederic Roy Sanders was born on 2 January 1887 at Burlington Terrace, 52 [now 404] Albert Street, East Melbourne. He was a son of Lewis Sanders and his wife, Miriam nee Benjamin. The Sanders and their first child had moved into the newly built Burlington Terrace in 1867. The terrace of sixteen units became home to many leaders of the Jewish community due in part, no doubt, to its proximity to the synagogue. It remained the family home of the Sanders until Lewis' death in 1911. Frederic was educated at Scotch College. On leaving school he spent his entire working life with the Leviathan, the store co-founded by his father.
On 23 June 1915 when he enlisted Frederic described himself as a warehouseman. He was 5ft 8ins, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was appointed to the 1st Australian General Hospital, Reinforcements at Broadmeadows with the rank of private. His brother, Algernon Benjamin Sanders, enlisted on the same day and the two were given consecutive service numbers and appointed to the same unit. Frederic agreed that 3/- per day of his salary should go to his sister, Caroline, from 1 December.
The two brothers embarked on 11 October 1915 aboard the Nestor bound for Egypt. On 10 May 1916 Frederic was admitted to hospital at Abbassia with tonsilitis, and discharaged on 24 May. He rejoined his unit and then both brothers embarked for England on 29 July 1916, and then on to France on 21 August 1916.
On 18 September the two brothers were transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance. Frederic was given ten days' leave from 3 August 1917 and on his return was detached for temporary duty with a number of units. He rejoined the 6th Field Ambulance on 17 April 1918. He marched out for return to Australia on 17 February 1919 and embarked from England on 5 April 1919.
On his return to Australia Frederic resumed his life at the Leviathan and was appointed director. He also held the position of staff superintendent. He was a keen racegoer and was a member of the Victorian Racing Club the Victorian Amateur Turf Club and the Moonee Vallery Racing Club. He died suddeenly at his home, 22 Stonnington Place Toorak, on 8 April 1949 leaving a widow, Beryl (nee Hopkins), and two children. His funeral service took place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Malvern.