Andrew Stokes, right, and his brother Michael

A Shropshire soldier preparing to move on to one of the most isolated outposts in war-torn Afghanistan today appealed to friends at home to help him keep in touch with the world.

Company Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes, 37, wrote to the Shropshire Star from Camp Bastion before his redeployment to see if the paper would get pals to write to him.

One important reinforcement will soon be on its way, however, as his elder brother is on the verge of joining him on the frontline.

• Email your messages of support here

RAF Staff Sergeant Michael Stokes will be flying out after Christmas. The brothers are from the Madeley and Dawley areas of Telford and were pupils at the Blessed Robert Johnson School in Wellington.

It will be the second time they have met on active service. Andrew, who is serving with the Coldstream Guards, was born and bred in Telford and joined the Army straight from school in 1988.

Michael, 39, was flown into Andrew’s base in Iraq during 2006 to repair a helicopter landing pad damaged in a rocket attack.

Andrew, who has been in Afghanistan since mid-September, said: “I see more of him on operations than I do at home.”

He asked in his e-mail to the Shropshire Star if copies of his favourite local newspaper could be sent to him. He said: “At present I am in Camp Bastion and can keep up-to-date with the local news on the internet.

“However over the next couple of days I move forward to deepest Helmand to occupy a patrol base that doesn’t have water, let alone electricity for internet access.”

Sarah-Jane Smith, editor of the Shropshire Star, said: “We are delighted to hear from one of our boys serving in Afghanistan. We carry such tragic reports concerning Afghanistan almost daily so it was a joy to read a message from someone who sounds as cheerful and committed.”

E-Letters can be forwarded to 24830026 Sergeant Major AJ Stokes, Coldstream Guards Battle Group, Patrol Base 2, Babaji, Op Herrick 11, BFPO 755.