Frederick Reginald Hedges was born around 1881 in London, England, to parents Frederick and Amelia Susannah (nee Barley) Hedges. He worked as a musician throughout his life.

Frederick Hedges enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 22 March 1915 at Liverpool, New South Wales. He was assigned to the 18th Infantry Battalion and embarked on “HMAT Ceramic” on 25 June 1915.

Hedges contracted influenza at the Gallipoli Peninsula in late September 1915. After a period of over two months at hospital camps he was sent to Australia to convalesence for three months. After his convalescence period had ended, Hedges embarked with 18th Infantry Battalion reinforcements on 5 June 1916 on “HMAT Kyarra”.

In late January 1917, Hedges was attached to the AIF Headquarters at Tidworth, Salisbury Plains, England, with John Ballantyne. After transferring between Depots in the United Kingdom, Hedges returned to France in August 1918, re-joining his unit in Rouelles. He returned to Australia in April 1919.

After returning to Australia and discharge from Australian Imperial Force, Hedges worked for the renowned Australian theatre company, J C Williamson Ltd. as a musician.

Frederick Reginald Hedges died in Sydney, New South Wales, in December 1959.