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UK soldier killed in blast named Soldier died on last day of tour
(40 minutes later)
A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan trying to defuse a roadside bomb has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid. A British soldier was killed as he tried to defuse a roadside bomb on the last day of his deployment to Afghanistan, it has emerged.
The 30-year-old from the Royal Logistic Corps died on Saturday when the bomb exploded near Sangin in Helmand. Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died on Saturday near Sangin in Helmand province.
His wife, Christina Schmid, said he was her "soulmate" and she took comfort knowing he had saved "countless lives".His wife, Christina Schmid, said he was her "soulmate" and she took comfort knowing he had saved "countless lives".
His death brings the total number of UK military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 224.His death brings the total number of UK military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 224.
Staff Sgt Schmid had been commanding a bomb disposal team who were dealing with a confirmed roadside bomb. 'Phenomenal husband'
Staff Sgt Schmid, who had been in the Army for 13 years, had been commanding a bomb disposal team who were dealing with a confirmed roadside bomb.
He was killed when the device initiated as he was defusing it.He was killed when the device initiated as he was defusing it.
Since his tour in Afghanistan began in June, Staff Sgt Schmid was responsible for making safe 64 roadside bombs. Since his tour in Afghanistan began in June, he was responsible for making safe 64 roadside bombs.
Staff Sgt Schmid, born in Cornwall, lived in Winchester with his five-year-old stepson and wife, Christina.
His courage was not displayed in a fleeting moment of time; he stared death in the face on a daily basis Lt Col Gareth Bex
She said: "Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five-month tour.
"The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work."
Lt Col Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met.Lt Col Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met.
"No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions."No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions.
"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.""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."
Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter IED (improvised explosive devices) task force, said Staff Sgt Schmid had been a "legend".
"His courage was not displayed in a fleeting moment of time - he stared death in the face on a daily basis.
"Many soldiers and ordinary Afghans owe their lives to Staff Sgt Schmid's gallant actions and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."