Huddersfield soldier ordered to down his weapon – while at war

Jun 25 2009 By Emma Davison

Jason Pedelty

A SOLDIER was told to put down his weapon in the middle of a war zone – because Army officers wrongly believed he shouldn’t be there.

Jason Pedelty, 22, from Meltham, was weeks into his five-month posting in Iraq when he was told by his commanding officer to put down his gun and ammunition and take off his uniform.

Having served four years, Jason considered leaving the Yorkshire Regiment, but signed back in and was looking forward to his time in Iraq.

But an administration blunder left bosses thinking Mr Pedelty was a ‘civilian’ and he was stripped of his duties, despite being over a month into his stint.

Mr Pedelty was stunned as he was sent away from his comrades to another part of the camp near Baghdad.

His parents Aletia and Kevin say they are worried sick as they wait at their Meltham home for further news of what will happen to their son.

Mrs Pedelty, of Sunny Heys, said: “We can’t believe what has happened, it’s outrageous how he’s been treated.

“Our son is in the middle of a conflict in Iraq and he has had his weapons and uniform taken off him while he could be shot at out of the sky.

“He has been under fire five times already.

“We’re worried sick because now we don’t know if he’s going to be safe – it’s like he’s just been put to one side.”

Mr Pedelty signed up to the Yorkshire Regiment when he was 17, following in the footsteps of his older brother Gary.