 The UK supplies the second largest number of troops to Iraq |
A family have criticised what they claim is a lack of support by the Army for a teenage soldier, who they claim is suffering from mental problems. His relatives, from Gwynedd, say the soldier felt unable to cope after returning from Iraq.
They claimed this had led to him going absent without leave (Awol), although he is now back in a correction centre.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) denied all the family's claims but said he would be medically reassessed.
The solider's family said they did not want to be identified for fear of repercussions from within the Army.
His aunt said he suffered a panic attack after going back to his barracks following home leave when he returned from Iraq.
As a result of this he went absent without leave, she said.
 |  The only support he's received is from us |
Despite the family feeling he was suffering from depression, and what they believed could be post-traumatic stress, he eventually decided to return to the Army and he was being held at a correction centre in Colchester, Essex, she added.
The aunt said he wanted to leave the Army but the MoD confirmed that he could no longer be "bought out".
Soldiers have to serve four years or give 12 months' notice once they reach the age of 21.
'Excellent military record'
The soldier's aunt claimed: "The only support he's received is from us.
"We have very long telephone conversations with him when we try to comfort him and try to give him advice.
"We tell him to see his medic or the welfare but he sees no point as he knows it's not going to get him anywhere."
An MoD spokesman denied all the claims made by his family.
The soldier, who had an excellent military record, was first assessed when he arrived at the correction centre a month ago.
But he would be medically assessed again and if he was found to be ill he would be treated by army medics, said the MoD.
A phone call had been arranged from the soldier to his mother when it was realised he had not spoken to her for a month.
The spokesman said that families and soldiers were offered help through their welfare network.
The MoD said he was due to leave the correction centre and would be allowed to return home for a short while before returning to his regiment.
Full story on BBC Radio Cymru's Llinyn Mesur at 1300 GMT on Sunday.
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