Crossword Genius

Companion from Italy died in fight on isle (3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

man friday

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'companion' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'italy died in fight on isle' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'italy' could be 'i' and 'i' is present in the answer.
'died' could be 'd' (abbreviation next to the year of someone's death) and 'd' is present in the answer.
'fight' could be 'fray' (fray is a kind of fight) and 'fray' is located in the remaining letters.
'isle' could be 'man' (the Isle of Man is an example) and 'man' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'from' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for man friday that I've seen before include "Reliable assistant" , "Male factotum" , "Title or name of Robinson Crusoe's servant" , "Assistant to Robinson Crusoe" , "Male helper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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