Ian Freeland

Sir Ian Freeland
Born	(1912-09-14)14 September 1912
Died	2 July 1979(1979-07-02) (aged 66)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1932–1971
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Royal Norfolk Regiment
Commands held	7th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment 1/5th Battalion Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 54th (East Anglian) Division East Africa Command HQ Northern Ireland
Battles/wars	World War II Zanzibar Revolution Cyprus Emergency Northern Ireland
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Chevalier of the Order of the Crown with Palm (Belgium) Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm (Belgium)

Lieutenant General Sir Ian Henry Freeland GBE, KCB, DSO, DL (14 September 1912 – 2 July 1979) was a senior British Army officer, who served during World War II, and most notably served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Director of Operations in security matters in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of rioting in 1969, and the beginning of the Troubles.

The son of Majo -General Sir Francis Edward Freeland, Ian Freeland was initially educated at Wellington College. Then, after Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Freeland was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Norfolk Regiment on 1 September 1932, and promoted lieutenant on 1 September 1935, and captain on 1 September 1940. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was regimental adjutant. He then served as brigade major for the 7th Infantry Brigade in 1942 and general staff officer, Grade 2 at the War Office in 1943 and gained a variety of wartime promotions, culminating in 1944 in temporary promotion to lieutenant colonel and command of the 7th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment, part of 176th Brigade of 59th (Staffordshire) Division, in the fighting in Normandy, and for his leadership he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 21 December 1944.