Background
Frederick Hedges was born on 6 June 1896 at Umballa in India, the seventh of nine children.
Frederick Hedges was born on 6 June 1896 at Umballa in India, the seventh of nine children.
He was later educated at Grove Road Boy"s School, and Isleworth County School. Hedges was 22 years old, and a temporary lieutenant in The Bedfordshire Regiment, British Army, attached to the 6th Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment during the First World War at the Pursuit to the Selle when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. The citation for the medal reads:
"Foreign most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the operations north-east of Bousies on the 24th October, 1918. He led his company with great skill towards the final objective, maintaining direction under the most difficult conditions.
When the advance was held up by machine-gun posts, accompanied by one Serjeant and followed at some considerable distance by a Lewis-gun section, he again advanced and displayed the greatest determination, capturing six machine guns and 14 prisoners.
His gallantry and initiative enabled the whole line to advance, and tended largely to the success of subsequent operations.".