1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own).

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 8 July 1917. Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 1 September 1916. Awarded a bar to his Military Medal in the London Gazette of 6 January 1917.
Greenwood was a native of Colne, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 19 August 1916 reported, MORE MILITARY MEDALISTS, Private Fred Greenwood, who's sister, Mrs. Herbert Crabtree, resides at 150, Skipton Road, Colne, has been awarded the Military Medal. Private Greenwood is 34 years of age and unmarried. He joined the R.A.M.C., in October 1914, and was transferred to the Rifle Brigade, for which he volunteered, before going to France in July, 1915. Previous to enlisting Private Greenwood was employed as a warpdresser by Messrs. Knight and Crabtree, Colne. In a letter to his sister, Private Greenwood says, "You will be pleased to know that I was decorated yesterday with the Military Medal for the work I did on July 1st. I now have the ribbon on my coat. It was a big affair." In an earlier letter, describing his experience on the day he won the medal, Private Greenwood says, "I have come through this big smash, which came off on Saturday, I got through but I don't know how."

The Burnley Express of 13 January reported, HE EARNED THE VICTORIA CROSS. Comrade's tribute to Colne Medallist. A friend of Private Fred Greenwood, who's sister, Mrs. Herbert Crabtree, resides at 150, Skipton Road, Colne, has received a letter from a soldier who was with Private Greenwood when he won his Military Medal, and also when he gained a bar to it, as stated in our columns a few weeks ago. The medal was given to Private Greenwood for work done on July 1st, last, and he was awarded a bar for his gallant conduct on October 18th, and 19th, last. In his letter, Private Greenwood's soldier friend pays a high tribute to his comrade. He says, "Fred got the medal on the 1st July on the Somme, and he earned the V.C., on that occasion. I am not saying that because I am a friend of his, but men who are wearing the V.C., today never worked as hard as Fred did. He got the bar to his medal on October 19th at Transloy on the Bapaume Road. Fred was in the pink when I left him, and I hope he remains so. Private Greenwood is 34 years of age and unmarried. He joined the R.A.M.C., in October 1914, and was transferred to the Rifle Brigade, for which he volunteered, before going to France in July, 1915. Previous to enlisting Private Greenwood was employed as a warpdresser by Messrs. Knight and Crabtree, Colne.

The Burnley Express of 26 May 1917 reported, HIS THIRD HONOUR. Brave Colunian Rewarded. Much of this report repeats the two above and reports that he is now in hospital because of being wounded in the right shoulder on the 12 May 1917 whilst tending a wounded man in 'no man's land'.

The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went out in broad daylight and brought in a wounded man. He was under continuous machine gun and rifle fire. He has done previous fine work under heavy fire.'