Ian Freer (British Army officer)

Major General Ian Lennox Freer, CB, CBE (born 18 May 1941)^[1] is a retired British Army officer who commanded the 5th Division from 1995 to 1996.

Ian Freer
Born	(1941-05-18) 18 May 1941 (age 84)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Years of service	1961–1996
Rank	Major General
Service number	468998
Commands	5th Infantry Division Wales and Western District
Battles / wars	Operation Banner
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Military career

Freer was educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh, then attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.^[1] He was commissioned into the Staffordshire Regiment in 1961.^[2] He was appointed Chief of British Mission to Soviet Forces in Europe in 1989 and then served as Commander Land Forces in Northern Ireland from 1991 to 1994 during The Troubles.^[3] He went on to be General Officer Commanding Wales and Western District in 1994 and General Officer Commanding 5th Division in 1995 before retiring in 1996.^[4]

Freer was appointed colonel of the Staffordshire Regiment from 1990 to 1995.^[5]

On his retirement in 1996 Freer settled in Melbourne, Australia, and became chairman of Ocean Software.^[6]