Oxfordshire bomb heroes honoured

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid was based at Didcot

An Oxfordshire-based bomb disposal expert has been awarded a posthumous George Medal for defusing 13 Taliban devices by hand in 36 hours.

Captain Daniel Shepherd, 28, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was killed attempting to disarm a bomb in southern Afghanistan, in July.

He was a member of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, in Didcot.

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, who served in the same regiment, was awarded a posthumous George Cross on 18 March.

Capt Shepherd, personally cleared 13 devices from a drugs bazaar without the use of a bomb disposal robot, protective suit or specialist electronic equipment.

"An inspiration"

His medal citation read: ""He was an inspiration to his team. His personal actions directly and demonstrably saved the lives of innumerable Afghans, coalition and British forces before he made the ultimate sacrifice."

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, 39, from Kirtlington, near Oxford, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service posthumously.

He was the commanding officer of 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards, and was killed in Afghanistan last July.

Didcot-based Captain Judith Lorna Gallagher, of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

Bomb disposal expert Lance Corporal David James Timmins, of the same regiment, has been awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

Flight Lieutenant John McFadden of RAF Benson has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Operational Honours and Awards List.

Private Edwin Goitseone Motete, based at Dalton Barracks in Abingdon, received a Mention in Despatches.