While in action at NAVES on October 10, 1919, Pte. Alfier as motorcycle scout was sent with an important message to one of the batteries holding the bridgehead in U13 Central east of NAVES. Just outside the village, an enemy shell struck his motorcycle, severely wounding Pte. Alfier (both legs blown off and a shrapnel wound in the chest). Notwithstanding these severe injuries, Pte. Alfier by sheer courage "kept his wits" and had his message transferred to somebody else for transmission to the battery, after which he fainted. He later came to and was brought out, still cheerful and even joking about having "got a good Blighty at last."
Awarded the Military Medal for "his gallantry, devotion to duty and splendid morale."