Winchester soldier dies on last day of Afghanistan tour (From Daily Echo)

Winchester soldier dies on last day of Afghanistan tour

6:01pm Monday 2nd November 2009 in News By Ash Bolton

A SENIOR British explosives expert was killed while trying to defuse a bomb on the last day of his tour in Afghanistan, it was revealed today.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died near Sangin in central Helmand Province on Saturday.

He lived in Winchester with his wife, Christina Schmid, who described him as her ''best friend and soulmate'' and said she took comfort knowing he had saved ''countless lives''.

He also leaves a five-year-old stepson, Laird.

Sgt Schmid, who was known as Oz, made 64 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) safe during his five months in Afghanistan as an ammunition technician.

As well as taking part in Operation Panther's Claw, a major assault on a Taliban stronghold, he found 31 IEDs during a single operation to clear a road near Sangin in August.

One of his senior officers described him as a ''legendary figure'' while another said he was ''better than the best of the best''.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, which was based around Sangin this summer, said: ''Sgt 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.''

He added: ''He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every rifleman in our extraordinary battle group. Superlatives do not do the man justice.''

Paying emotional tribute, Sgt Schmid's wife said: ''Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five-month tour.

''He was my best friend and soulmate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.''

Sgt Schmid was born in Truro, Cornwall, and lived with his wife and five-year-old stepson Laird in Winchester.