A British serviceman who lost his life in a training mishap in Iraq On Sunday, 29-year-old Lance Corporal James Freeman passed away, according to the Ministry of Defence.
L/Cpl Freeman, referred to as a "committed and seasoned" military personnel, spent 10 years in the Army and was part of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment—known as The Vikings—since February 2017.
A man whose son was involved had served in Iraq as part of Operation SHADER, the continuous mission aimed at assisting allied forces in the Middle East against the so-called Islamic State on Sunday when the accident happened.
Before his final assignment in the Middle East, he had been involved in the country's efforts against the Covid-19 outbreak, and had previously worked in South Sudan, the Falkland Islands, and Jordan, Romania and Kenya.
An exceptionally talented warrior, he had worked as a riflemen, mortar operator, and machine gunner, and was promoted to Assistant Squad Leader in the Attack Pioneer Platoon — a position where he became "strongly committed."
The Ministry of Defense verified his passing on Wednesday, following a wave of condolences from senior military officials, his superiors, and comrades-in-arms.
Colonel James WHM Bishop, leader of the British Forces during Operation SHADER, stated: "His departure creates an immense, unfilled gap, and he will be deeply missed by all who were honored to work with him."
Major James SD Pugh, commander of the Norfolk Company, described him as "the true spirit of a Viking warrior" and an esteemed member of the unit.
"Beyond his outstanding service in the military, Lance Corporal Freeman was a loving husband and father. His biggest source of joy was his daughter, and the everyday trips to and from school were the times he valued the most," he said.
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