New Deputy Lieutenant appointment for Shropshire

The Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner JP is delighted to announce the appointment of Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew John Stokes as a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire.

Deputy Lieutenants are chosen from across Shropshire to support the work of the Lord-Lieutenant. With a history of serving the community and living in the local area, Deputy Lieutenants will assist in carrying out engagements and visits.

The number of Deputy Lieutenants is determined by the size of the ceremonial county served – there are 34 in Shropshire.

Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes joined the Army in 1988 at the age of 16. He went on to serve on operational tours across the globe, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He joined the team in Horse Guards in 2014, taking over from Garrison Sergeant Major Billy Mott the following year. In 2023, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his key role in the military ceremonial aspects of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Andrew said “ I feel privileged , humbled and excited to support the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire in inspiring, supporting and connecting the people of the County, and maintaining the dignity of the Crown. I couldn’t be prouder. Floreat Salopia”.  (may Shropshire flourish).