Olaf Schmid

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This article is about the British Army bomb disposal expert. For the German glider Aerobatic pilot, see Olaf Schmidt. For the ski jumper, see Olaf Schmidt (ski jumper).

Olaf Schmid
Nickname(s)"Oz"
Born(1979-06-11)11 June 1979
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsGeorge Cross
RelationsChristina Schmid (wife)
ribbon bar

Kim Hughes
was made at the same time.

Early life

Schmid was born on 11 June 1979 in

Truro Cathedral Choir, ultimately becoming head chorister.[2] Schmid lived in Winchester, Hampshire
, with his wife Christina and his step-son Laird.

Army career

Schmid joined the British Army in 1996, enlisting in the

Sangin, Helmand Province
when the device exploded, killing Schmid instantly.

Death and legacy

After Schmid's death[4] was announced several people left tributes to his courage. Schmid's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding 2nd Rifles Battle Group, said: "Staff-Sergeant Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met. Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest."[2] A funeral and memorial service was held at Truro Cathedral on 24 November 2009.[3] On 21 September 2010, his widow, Christina Schmid, was a contributor in a programme in BBC Radio 4's Soul Music series about Gabriel Fauré's Requiem with conductor David Willcocks. The Requiem was performed at the memorial service for Schmid.[5]

George Cross

On 18 March 2010,

gazetted on 19 March 2010.[8] Schmid's widow, Christina, was presented with the medal in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 2 June 2010. She attended the ceremony with her son Laird and her parents.[9]

References
  1. ^ "Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid—Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who has been killed in Afghanistan aged 30, saved many lives during the fighting in Helmand Province through his work defusing bombs". The Daily Telegraph. London. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Staff-Sergeant Olaf Schmid: Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal specialist". The Times. London. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010. This obituary states his father was Swiss rather than Swedish/
  3. ^ a b "Olaf Schmid funeral: Afghanistan death of bomb disposal hero mourned". The Daily Telegraph. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  4. ^ His Last Lonely Walk
  5. ^ "Soul Music (Series 10): Faure Requiem". BBC Radio 4. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  6. ^ "George Cross for Army Afghanistan bomb heroes". BBC. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  7. ^ Bates, Stephen (18 March 2010). "George Cross goes to army bomb experts for Afghan heroics—Widow takes citation for husband described as the bravest of the brave during Operation Panther's Claw". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  8. ^ "No. 59365". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 March 2010. p. 4832.
  9. ^ "Soldier Olaf Schmid's George Cross collected by widow". BBC. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
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