Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Tot is daddy’s little soldier

27/ 2/2008

SOLDIER Ian Low had more reason than most to return home from serving in Iraq – it was the first time he had seen his newborn son.

Kingsman Low’s baby boy Jaden was born just 10 days after Ian was deployed to serve in Basra, 3,000 miles away.

The 20-year-old soldier was kept up-to-date during his girlfriend Leanne’s 40-hour labour, with telephone calls from his parents Lorraine and Steve.

He then spent three months manning check points and carrying out security patrols in the fierce desert heat before returning home to Droylsden to see his son for the first time.

It meant he got to meet his son face-to-face for the first time as well as having an emotional reunion with Leanne, also 20.

Ian, said: "Although I had been sent photos of Jaden at Christmas, I was just amazed when I saw him for the first time. It was wonderful to see him.

"It was difficult to get hold of mum and dad when Leanne went into hospital because they couldn’t have the mobile switched on but I finally got word from them that everything was OK.

"After that it was difficult at times but I just kept my head down and did the job.

"I was worrying about the baby at home and Leanne, but my mates knew what I was going through and were very supportive."

Ian and his comrades in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regiment were supposed to serve six months in the Middle East, but instead were called back after three. They have now been deployed to Osnabruck, in Germany.

During his tour Ian’s unit used armoured vehicles and a helicopter to conduct operations against people trying to smuggle weapons into Iraq.