For Sergeant Emmanuel “Ice” Usiagwu, life has truly come full circle. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he never imagined he’d one day return to his hometown in British military uniform, aboard a UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.
But that’s exactly what happened when Ice, now a Sergeant in the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), found himself sailing into Lagos on RFA Lyme Bay during a major overseas exercise.
“It was a surreal situation,” he admitted. “I never imagined I’d be back in my hometown like this, 16 years after joining the British Army.”
And it wasn’t just about duty, this homecoming gave him a rare chance to reunite with family after years apart.
A Journey That Started With a TV Ad
Born in 1984, Ice grew up in Lagos with his large family, including three sisters and six brothers. After earning a National Diploma in Marketing, he worked in estate security before an unexpected twist changed his path forever.
While visiting a brother in the UK in 2007, he saw a British Army recruitment advert and realised he could enlist under the Commonwealth Soldier scheme. The idea stuck, and by 2008, he had joined the Royal Logistic Corps as a Port Operator.
Since then, his career has been nothing short of remarkable. He has deployed to the Falklands (twice), assisted with security during the 2012 London Olympics, and embarked on an operational tour in the Caribbean aboard RFA Mounts Bay in 2019. More recently, he joined RFA Lyme Bay in October 2024, supporting UK defence operations along the West African coast.
A Key Role in West Africa
As Senior NCO onboard RFA Lyme Bay, Ice leads a team of six RLC soldiers, ensuring all vehicles and equipment are securely loaded and assisting with crane operations alongside Royal Marines, Royal Navy, and RFA personnel.
His deployment was part of the Littoral Response Group (South), which has been conducting integration training with West African military counterparts, particularly focusing on boarding operations. The ship also took part in Exercise Grand African Nemo, a multinational effort to combat piracy and criminal activity across the 6,000km Gulf of Guinea coastline.
A Rare and Emotional Reunion
For Ice, one of the most memorable moments of this deployment wasn’t just the mission, it was seeing his family again.
“A busy role in the army and my own family back home in the UK don’t allow me much opportunity to return to my roots,” he shared. “This was a great chance to reconnect with my brothers and sisters after so many years apart.”
Ice’s story is a powerful reminder of how the British Army connects cultures, nations, and personal histories in ways few other careers can.
Now back in Southampton, where he lives with his wife and three children, Ice is preparing for his next challenge, taking on the role of Admin Sergeant at Marchwood. But no matter where the army takes him next, one thing is certain, his heart will always be in Lagos.
