Bomb ordering favourite to get George Cross

Sara Dixon & , : {}

AN ARMY explosve ordering consultant hailed by his autocratic troops troops officer as the bravest man he had ever met is approaching this week to be awarded the George Cross posthumously.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid died in Afghanistan on Oct 31 last year as his group attempted to defuse an makeshift bomb device (IED) in Helmand province. Over the prior five months he had done protected 64 roadside bombs prior to he was killed clearing an area of mines.

When the 30-year-olds physique was repatriated to Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire his lamentation widow, Christina, greeted his coffin with smiles and acclaim as she wore his medals. I am really gratified to have my father home. He is an comprehensive hero, she said.

It is approaching she will right away accept her husbands George Cross from the Queen after this year.

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The George Cross, that can additionally be awarded to civilians, ranks to one side the Victoria Cross as . It is awarded to troops crew for acts of intrepidity not in the participation of the enemy.

Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Thomson, the autocratic troops troops officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, described Schmid, who was well known as Oz, as simply the bravest and majority bold man I have ever met.

He added: Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time.

Schmid, of eleven Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, was portion with 2 Rifles Battle Group and died the day prior to he was due to lapse to the Winchester home he common with his mother and her five-year-old son, Laird.

At his wake at Truro Cathedral, the locale where Schmid was born, his widow pronounced the last eighteen months of her husband"s hold up presented his toughest, darkest hurdles ever. During the summer Schmid took piece in Operation Panther"s Claw, the descent to transparent populated areas in executive Helmand of Taliban insurgents.

The George Cross was combined by George VI in 1940 and usually 159 have been awarded to civilians and troops personnel.

Last night an mouthpiece for the Ministry of Defence said: We do not plead operational honours and awards prior to they have been presented.

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