British soldier who died in Iraq training accident is named

Freeman died during a training accident in Iraq on Sunday - (Ministry of Defence)

The British soldier who died during a training accident in Iraq has been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Lance Corporal James Freeman, of the Royal Anglian Regiment, joined the Army in June 2016.

He was deployed on operations in South Sudan, contributed to the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic, supported force protection missions in Cyprus and most recently in Iraq. He also served in the Falklands, Jordan, Romania and Kenya.

Colonel James WHM Bishop, the commander of Operation Shader in Iraq, said: “Larger than life and magnetically charming, he was a trusted junior leader who naturally brought people together, forming a wide and fiercely loyal group of friends across the entire Op Shader contingent.

“His absence leaves a profound, irreplaceable void, and he will be missed beyond measure by everyone who had the privilege to serve alongside him. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, his family, and the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.”

L/Cpl Freeman was a “devoted family-man” who put his family “first in every situation, whether it was a passing comment in a hard situation or expressing his excitement to see them when he was away”, the MoD said.

Lieutenant Samuel Frost, who was L/Cpl Freeman’s platoon commander, praised him as “an impressive soldier”, adding: “Working with Lance Corporal Freeman has been a huge pleasure, and he will be sorely missed, rightfully commemorated, and never forgotten.

Lance Corporal James Freeman has been described as a ‘devoted family-man’ (PA)

“He was one of the best. His passing is a shock to the Company, and his wife and daughter have my profound sympathy.”

Corporal William Thorpe said: “James was my best friend.

“A man who was committed to achieving any task before him to the highest standard and always professional, but also someone to talk to in confidence, either for advice or, most often, for a moan.

“I do not believe I would be where I am today without him, especially for the amount of ‘just do me a favour’ favours I owe him.”

Defence secretary John Healey had announced a British soldier had died in Iraq in the House of Commons on Monday.

He told MPs: “With deep regret, I should inform the House that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq yesterday, in which a service personnel from the British Army has died.

“I know the thoughts of the House will be with the family and with the unit at this desperately sad time.”