CHARITY workers have received a terrible shock after getting a “letter from beyond the grave” from a soldier, killed in Afghanistan.

Pensioners Barbara and Iain Bell were thrilled when Sgt Stuart “Gus” Millar wrote, thanking them for boxes of gifts they sent his comrades in Afghanistan.

But the couple’s joy turned to heartbreak when they learned Sgt Millar, 40, had been killed by a Taleban rocket-propelled grenade in Helmand province.

Three days later, they were still mourning his death when a second letter arrived from the Scottish soldier.

The letter – which included photos of Sgt Millar and his unit – was posted 72 hours before he died and had been delayed in the post.

In it, the soldier wrote: “Hi Babs. Good to hear from yourself and even better for the mass of parcels. They have been received with much gratitude.

“The lads here understand the thoughts and praise for our efforts the folks back in the UK have for us and again, they say thanks.”

Mrs Bell said it felt like receiving a letter from beyond the grave. She added: “That’s what makes it so terrible. We might have been the last people he contacted.”

The couple, who live in Rosery Mews, Great Holland, have now sent almost 300 parcels to the troops.

They first heard news of Sgt Millar’s death on TV. Mrs Bell said: “We know the names of all the soldiers who have written to us and we recognised Gus’s name. We just looked at each other and said, ‘He’s one of ours’.

“I cried and my husband cried.”

They had recently sent packages for Sgt Millar to pass to comrades in 3rd Battalion, the Black Watch. A handwritten letter, dated August 1, thanked everyone for their generosity.

Mrs Bell added: “We had received a long letter from Gus in which he described what it was like out there. It means so much to us to get these letters. Now this is so very, very sad.”

Sgt Millar was shown on TV at the start of Operation Panther’s Claw, offering sweets to a news crew.

Mrs Bell said: “We like to think they might have been one of the bags of sweets we sent.”

Sgt Millar and Private Kevin Elliott were killed by insurgents while on foot patrol.

Army pals described him as “a larger-than-life” character”.

His death has made Barbara, 76, and Iain, 77, even more determined to continue sending their packages.

Mrs Bell said: “We’ll carry on as long as we keep getting support and are physically able to.

“One day, I’d like to be able to send these letters to Gus’s wife.

“It really struck a chord with us. I don’t want Gus to be just another death in the paper.”