Alfred was born in Wittshire, England to Edward and Ann (nee Pinnegar) Barnfield.
He was a preemptor on the Lillooet River and was one of nine men to clear, replace bridges, and improve the grade on the 60 mile Squamish-Pemberton trail (April - July 1891).
In 1897, he helped John Currie attempt to drive his animals over the Howe Sound trail. The drive was a great failure. During the summer of 1897, he explored for minerals down Lillooet Lake. In 1897 he went to Blackwater, or Birkenhead to explore for copper.
Alfred came to Squamish prior to 1905. His name ppears in the a Hotel register in 1903, however he states he is from Vancouver and later Green Lake. He later signs himself as coming from Squamish.
On August 1, 1910, he married Daisy Eck Hotchkiss and they went to England on their honeymoon. They lived at Alta Lake and had four children (Charles, Fred, William, and Vera). Their son Charles, born in 1920, died overseas.
In 1924 he moved to Squamish on Wilson Crescent. He had traded land at Alta Lake with the PGE.
Alfred Barnfield is Charles Barnfield's father.
Alfred Barnfield is Fred Barnfield's father.
Alfred Barnfield is Vera's father.