Trooper Alfred James Friend was the son of Alfred George and Martha Maria Friend, and husband of Audrey Beatrice Friend, of Kenton, Middlesex.He served with 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, and took part in the Normandy campaign, which marked the start of the liberation of France from German occupation in June 1944.

Two High Explosive shells fell on trenches in the regiment's harbour area at around 12:45 hours on 15 June causing seven casualties, including Troopers Musgrave and Friend who were both killed.

Trooper Friend died aged 31 years old, and is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.