Fred Flower, labourer of Ponsonby, embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion and on 5 February 1916. He was killed in action during the battle of the Somme, 15 September 1916, and was one of more than 1200 officers and men killed during the Battles of the Somme September – October 1916, whose grave is not known and who is commemorated at the NZ Memorial at the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery.

Fred's service record states that he had no living relatives in New Zealand. A friend listed as next-of-kin declined to accept his medals and they were forwarded to the Town Clerk, Auckland City Council in 1923 and were later presented to the Auckland Museum.