2nd Lieutenant Frederick William Zebedee
Frederick William Zebedee, of Newington Street, Antrim Road, Belfast, was born on 12 December 1894, the first of four children of Excise & Customs civil servant Frederick Zebedee and his wife Janie (nee McKibben). After his father died when Frederick was just five, he was sent to the Masonic Boys' School at Clonskeagh, Dublin.
He enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 19 October 1915 (No.1752). He was made acting lance corporal the following February but soon after returned to the rank of private at his own request.
On 29 June 1916 he embarked from Southampton for France, where he was posted to E Squadron, then part of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. He was promoted to lance corporal on 5 May 1917 and corporal the following month.
On 27 November 1917 he applied for a commission. He was sent to the No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion at Fermoy, arriving there in April 1918 after a period of leave. After a period of training he was assessed as being suitable for a commission, his report including "A nice keen young fellow – a good all rounder, should do well." and "Should make a good platoon commander."
Zebedee was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on 25 September 1918 and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. Soon after he was sent to the front, where he was attached to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.
Two days after the Armistice, while at Menin, he became ill with influenza. He was granted sick leave to the UK, after which he joined the reserve battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.
2nd Lieutenant Zebedee relinquished his commission on 20 September 1919.