 Friend was in command in Ireland when the Easter Rising broke out in 1916.In the lead up to the Rising he was in command during the capture of the arms ship "Aud" and the arrest of Roger Casement on 21 April, but went on leave to England after the arrest, apparently "satisfied that the danger had passed.When the Rising began on 24 April, Friend returned to Dublin and he received the surrender of the rebel leaders but his decision to leave Ireland in advance of the Rising was seen as an error of judgement and he was replaced by Sir John Maxwell.