Friend studied at Dattilo Rubbo's School in Sydney in 1933-34 and at the Westminster School in London in 1935-36. He enlisted in the second AIF in 1942, and served as a gunner. During this time he wrote and illustrated Gunner's diary (1943) and Painter's journal (1946), reinforcing his reputation as a witty and perceptive artist and writer. He was appointed an official war artist in 1945 working in Labuan, Morotai and Balikpapan.

The artworks in this exhibition

Crowds dancing, Kings Cross, Sydney - Donald Friend, Australian War Memorial, ART23203

Desolate plantations, Balikpapan - Donald Friend, Australian War Memorial, ART22894

Japanese dead from suicide raid, Labuan - Donald Friend, Australian War Memorial, ART22857