The British soldier who died during a training accident in Iraq has been named by the Ministry of Defence.
Lance Corporal James Freeman, 28 and 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.”
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.”
