It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lance Corporal Freeman, who died in Iraq during routine training activity on 31 May 2026. He was 28 years old
Lance Corporal Freeman was born on 1 January 1997. He joined the Army in June 2016, attending the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, before joining 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings) in February 2017.
Lance Corporal Freeman was a dedicated and experienced Viking and Royal Anglian Regiment soldier. He 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 Operation SHADER, Iraq. In addition, he served in the Falklands, Jordan, Romania and Kenya. He served in a variety of roles throughout his career, including rifleman, mortarman and machine gunner. However, it was his most recent appointment, as a Section Second in Command within the Assault Pioneer Platoon, that was most notable. He was deeply invested in this role, pushing the capability, and always suggesting improvements to techniques, kit and equipment. He had a promising career ahead of him.
A lover of the outdoors, he would often go clay pigeon shooting and regularly share stories about shooting with his dad. He also enjoyed gaming and would often play video games into the late hours with soldiers across the battalion.
Above all, he was a devoted family-man and never passed up on the opportunity to share that with his peers. He put them 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.
Colonel James WHM Bishop, Commander British Forces Operation SHADER, said:
Lieutenant Colonel Nick JP McGinley, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Major James SD Pugh, Officer Commanding A (Norfolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Captain Daniel Bradnam, Company Second-in-Command, B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
WO2 Bradley P Hilton, Company Sergeant Major, B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Lieutenant Samuel Frost, Officer Commanding, 7 (Assault Pioneer) Platoon, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Sergeant James Cobbold, Platoon Sergeant, 7 (Assault Pioneer) Platoon, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Corporal William S Thorpe, Section Commander, B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Lance Corporal Cameron AW Donald, Section Second-in-Command, A (Norfolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: