He was the only son of John Geoffrey Frere of Hartley and Violet Ivy Sparks.

Following military service in the Intelligence Corps,[2] he began his heraldic career on 24 February 1948 when he was appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary.

[3] Interested in costume, he took part in the ceremonies for the funeral of King George VI and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

He held this post until his appointment as Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary on 23 January 1956 to replace John Heaton-Armstrong.

[4] Frere would hold this post until his retirement in 1960 to work in the Law Courts in the Strand.