Born in Whitley Bay on the northeast coast of England where the area has a rich maritime heritage and Fred sketched local scenes and landmarks.

Joined the Royal Air Force and served in various locations such as the Outer Hebrides Island off Scotland, in Nicosia, Cyprus and Oman on the coast of South Arabia.

Then studied Marine Radio and Electronics in Yorkshire at the Kingston-Upon-Hull College. Hull had a thriving school of marine art and after visits to the Ferens Art Gallery and the Hull Whaling Museum he was motivated to paint marine oils on canvas of the Humber keels and sloops which plied the inland waterways and the Hull whaling ships which voyaged northern and southern oceans in search of the whale in the days of sail....