A Shropshire soldier serving on the frontline in Afghanistan today told how news from home had kept him and his colleagues going.

The Shropshire Star sends regular copies of the paper to Company Sergeant Andrew Stokes and his colleagues in the Coldstream Guards, after he asked for more news from his home county.

Now he says he cannot wait to see his wife and children and his beloved Ironbridge when his tour of duty ends.

Andrew said he was also keen to catch up on the fortunes of his favourite football team, AFC Telford United.

The 37-year-old, who is with the Coldstream Guards Battlegroup based in Babaji, said he and his comrades still had their minds very much on the task in hand, despite tragedies which had seen seven of their number killed in action.

He said: “My tour has been somewhat split up, with an extended period in the UK mid-tour to visit casualties and attend funerals, among other duties.

“Sadly, seven members of the battlegroup have been killed in action and there have been numerous other casualties.

“However, the Coldstream Guards remain focused into the last three weeks of this operational tour and have achieved immensely in defeating the Taliban and building a better way of life for the local communities in our battle space.”

He added: “I, as the only serving member of the regiment from Shropshire, am keen to return to my beloved Ironbridge and share some time with my wife and children.

“The newspapers have been a real source of encouragement during the tour, bringing reality into what can almost feel like surreal experiences.

“It has also enabled me to keep one eye on AFC Telford United who, despite probably not making the play-off this year, have had a very good season. Well done to them.”

He said the group would return to Aldershot by the first week of May and embark on a period of normalisation in barracks before departing on some well-earned leave. The battalion would then, later this year, deploy to the Falkland Islands for a short time before returning to the UK for a period of training.

The guardsmen would then take on the role of Queens Guards and Public Duties in 2011, a duty that the Coldstream Guards are famous for.

Andrew said: “I am particularly happy about this as I have just been informed that I am to be promoted to be the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Coldstream Guards on July 5, the absolute pinnacle of a professional soldier’s career.”

Andrew said the support he had received from people in Shropshire had been immense and he had received many goodwill messages via letters and e-mail.
He said that, while on leave mid-tour, the people of Madeley and Ironbridge donated generously to the Coldstream Guards wristband appeal (www.shinycapstar.com/opherrick10wristbands.htm ), a charity to support the assistance and recuperation of bereaved families and casualties from the regiment.

E-mails can be sent to vernstokes@hotmail.com while letters can be forwarded to 24830026 Sergeant Major AJ Stokes, Coldstream Guards Battle Group, Patrol Base 2, Babaji, Op Herrick 11, BFPO 755.