Last salute for Army bomb victim

Staff Sgt Schmid's funeral was held with full military honours

The widow of an Army explosives expert killed in Afghanistan has praised her "warrior" husband at his funeral.

About 1,000 people attended the service at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall for Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, 30, who died on 31 October.

The Truro-born soldier, who lived in Hampshire, died disarming a bomb a day before he was due to return to the UK.

Saying she was a "proud widow", Christina Schmid said: "My husband, my son's father, was a warrior."

Staff Sgt Schmid, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died while trying to disarm a bomb in the Sangin region of Helmand province a day before he was due to return to the UK after a five-month deployment.

He lived in Winchester, Hampshire and was stationed at Didcot in Oxfordshire. He had been head chorister in the cathedral choir in Truro, where he was born.

The coffin was adorned with Staff Sgt Schmid's dress uniform belt, medals, beret and a wreath, as it was carried into the cathedral in a cortege led by a piper. Hundreds of people gathered outside to pay their respects.

Christina Schmid urged people not to forget the 'ultimate sacrifice' of her husband

During the service, which was led by the Dean of Truro, the Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick, Christina Schmid told the congregation that she hoped his death would "unite" civilians and troops.

Mrs Schmid, 34, also called on world leaders to do more to protect soldiers serving in the war-torn country.

She said: "Olaf and troops like him join to serve traditional warrior values, to passionately protect the country they love, its ideals and especially their families, communities and each other.

"In past conflicts, where there was an immediate threat to our shores and our existence, soldiers were never plagued with self-doubt about the value of their role in society, and people and their soldiers were once close in unity.

"We might disagree with a war. However, I hope Olaf's death, my public storytelling and appreciation, our community display of respect here today can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops."

Mrs Schmid said she hoped the work troops were doing in Afghanistan did not go "unnoticed" by "our leaders".

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid served in the Army for 13 years

The congregation clapped when Mrs Schmid finished her tribute.

Earlier in the ceremony, Lt Col Robert Thomson MBE, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, said Staff Sgt Schmid was the "bravest and most courageous man" he had ever met.

He said: "Under relentless IED [improvised explosive device] and small arms attacks, Staff Sgt Schmid stood taller than the tallest and we Riflemen loved him for it.

"He saved lives time after time and, for that, he will retain a very special place in the heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary battle group."

A guard of honour fired three rifle volleys outside the cathedral as the cortege left.

Staff Sgt Schmid was deployed to Afghanistan in June and had made safe 64 bombs and found 11 bomb-making centres.

He took part in Operation Panther's Claw, the Army's offensive to clear populated areas in central Helmand of Taliban insurgents.

Also known as Oz, he joined the Army in 1996 and was made staff sergeant in April 2008.

School friends of Staff Sgt Schmid also attended the funeral to pay tribute.

Grace Butler went to Penair Secondary School with the soldier.

Ms Butler, 30, a doctor, said: "He was just a really nice guy, always up for a laugh. When I heard about his death it was pretty devastating.

"It really brings it home to you. You see it on the news all the time, but when it's someone you know, it really brings it home."

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