Bomb disposal hero's George Cross collected by widow from the Queen

By Rebecca English for the Daily Mail
Updated: 14:15 EST, 2 June 2010

Christina Schmid

Honoured: Christina Schmid holds The George Cross conferred on her late husband, bomb disposal hero Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, after a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace today

Christina Schmid yesterday dedicated the George Cross won by her late husband for disabling dozens of roadside bombs to his fellow soldiers still serving in Afghanistan

Mrs Schmid was presented with the military honour at a private ceremony with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Her husband, Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, known as Oz, was killed by an improvised explosive device on the last day of a five-and-a-half-month deployment to Afghanistan last October.

Yesterday's intimate ceremony took place in the palace's state dining room - away from other investitures in the morning - and involved only the Queen, Mrs Schmid, her five-year-old son - formally recorded as Master Laird Schmid - and her parents.

Following the presentation, Mrs Schmid released a statement quoting the Greek historian Thucydides: 'The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.'

She added: 'The George Cross serves as a reminder of the endurance and sacrifice of all our servicemen and women out there on the ground now.

'In heralding and awarding Oz, one soldier, I hope it serves to raise the status of each and every one of them.'

She described the day as one of 'mixed emotions' as her husband would have celebrated his birthday next week and seeing him collect the honour would have been a cause for celebration.

She said: 'I humbly stand before you today to receive the George Cross on behalf of my husband, Oz.

'Today is a day of truly mixed emotions for myself and Laird. Oz's birthday is June 11 and to have seen him receive this award in person would have been a wonderful experience and truly a cause for celebration.

'The image of him pointing to it on his chest and grinning cheekily would have brought tears of pride.

'This award recognises the commitments made by Oz during his life. However, I am certain that if Oz were here today, he would insist it represented far more.

'He'd argue it's not solely his achievement. It is a reflection of key people who helped him in his career and during his tour.'

Olaf Schmid
Olaf and Claudia Schmid

Hero: Staff Sergeant Schmid died as he tried to disarm an explosive device in Afghanistan last October. He is pictured with his wife onboard the HMS Victory (right)

She concluded by paying tribute to her late husband's serving colleagues, saying: 'Together you performed near-impossible tasks daily in the most unthinkable, extreme conditions. He was so proud to have lived and worked alongside you all.'

He was one of the military's top bomb disposal experts and hugely regarded by his peers.

Staff Sergeant Schmid, of the Royal Logistical Corps, died instantly as he tried to disarm an improvised explosive device in Helmand last October.

Paul Jacobs

Rifleman Paul Jacobs holds the George Medal, awarded to him for his bravery in Afghanistan. He was blinded by an improvised explosive device

Mrs Schmid has since urged the government not to let her husband 'die in vain' and urged politicians to 'fight as hard as Olaf did' for peace.

'Becoming his widow has been the hardest thing I've ever done for him. He has made me so proud,' she said at his funeral.

'I want to see them tirelessly fight with his spirit, dedication and integrity day in, day out for peace.'

Last week it emerged that Britain's top bomb disposal expert, Colonel Bob Seddon, had resigned his post after raising concerns for the welfare of his men.

Col Seddon, of the Royal Logistic Corps, had been responsible for tackling the growing threat to troops posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the front line as the Army's Principle Ammunition Technical Officer (PATO).

He resigned his commission amid concerns that previous cuts have left his team overstretched and undermanned.

In a separate ceremony held shortly after Mrs Schmid collected her husband's posthumous George Cross, the Queen bestowed honours on other servicemen and stars including Jenson Button and Patrick Stewart.

Among those recognised was Rifleman Paul Jacobs, who was awarded the George Medal for his bravery in Afghanistan.

Rfn Jacobs, who was blinded by an improvised explosive device, said he was donating his medal to his battalion.

The soldier, from Ramsgate, Kent, said: 'The medal is obviously for me but I've given it to the battalion.

'It means a lot to me, but it means more to them. It is for everyone out there and everyone we have lost. They won't be forgotten.'

Patrick Stewart
enson Button

Familiar faces: Actor Patrick Stewart (left) was knighted by the Queen while Formula 1 champion Jenson Button was appointed an MBE

Formula 1 driver Button received an MBE from the Queen after clinching the drivers' championship last year.

The 30-year-old driver said: 'To get the MBE caps an amazing season. I think it's everyone's lifetime ambition to achieve in what they're good at and what they love so to come here and collect an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen does mean a lot.'

Hollywood actor Sir Patrick honoured the memory of a former teacher who set him on the path to acting as he was knighted by the Queen.

The star of stage and screen said English teacher Cecil Dormand had encouraged him to perform and cast him in a play with adults.



Comments (66)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now