Frederick Sale was born in Melbourne, Victoria, was single and a Draftsman when he enlisted in the 21st Battalion, Headquarters on 24 March 1915 at the age of 23. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 10 May 1915. He was wounded in action in France on 28 August 1916 and invalided to England. He was discharged back to duty and re-joined his unit on 19 October. In November he was awarded the Military Cross for æconspicuous gallantry in action'. He commanded the left flank in an attack and organised the defences of the captured position under heavy shell fire, removing the on-duty officer after he had been wounded until relieved, reporting personally to Battalion HQ after his runners had become casualties attempting to cross the open field.

He was later awarded a bar to the Military Cross for æconspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his company during an attack, and in the half hour preceding it, when the battalion was heavily shelled. On the final objective he superintended practically the whole consolidation, and sent back most valuable reports.'
Tree No. 2584