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| Last salute for army bomb victim | Last salute for army bomb victim |
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| The widow of an army explosives expert killed in Afghanistan has praised her "warrior" husband at his funeral. | |
| About 1,000 people attended the service at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall for Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, 30, who died on 31 October. | |
| The Truro-born soldier, who lived in Hampshire, died disarming a bomb a day before he was due to return to the UK. | |
| Saying she was a "proud widow", Christina Schmid said: "My husband, my son's father, was a warrior." | Saying she was a "proud widow", Christina Schmid said: "My husband, my son's father, was a warrior." |
| We might disagree with a war. However, I hope Olaf's death ... can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops Christina Schmid | |
| Staff Sgt Schmid, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died while trying to disarm an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Sangin region of Helmand province a day before he was due to return to the UK after a five-month deployment. | |
| Mr Schmid, who lived in Winchester, Hampshire, had been head chorister in the cathedral choir in Truro, where he was born. | |
| The coffin was adorned with Staff Sgt Schmid's head-dress, beret and a wreath, as it was carried into the cathedral in a cortege led by a piper. Hundreds of people gathered outside the pay their respects. | |
| During the service, which was led by the Dean of Truro, the Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick, Christina Schmid told the congregation that she hoped his death would "unite" civilians and troops. | |
| Mrs Schmid, 34, also called on world leaders to do more to protect soldiers serving in the war-torn country. | |
| Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid served in the Army for 13 years | |
| She said: "Olaf and troops like him join to serve traditional warrior values, to passionately protect the country they love, its ideals and especially their families, communities and each other. | She said: "Olaf and troops like him join to serve traditional warrior values, to passionately protect the country they love, its ideals and especially their families, communities and each other. |
| "In past conflicts, where there was an immediate threat to our shores and our existence, soldiers were never plagued with self-doubt about the value of their role in society, and people and their soldiers were once close in unity. | "In past conflicts, where there was an immediate threat to our shores and our existence, soldiers were never plagued with self-doubt about the value of their role in society, and people and their soldiers were once close in unity. |
| "We might disagree with a war. However, I hope Olaf's death, my public storytelling and appreciation, our community display of respect here today can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops." | "We might disagree with a war. However, I hope Olaf's death, my public storytelling and appreciation, our community display of respect here today can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops." |
| Mrs Schmid said she hoped the work troops were doing in Afghanistan did not go "unnoticed" by "our leaders". | Mrs Schmid said she hoped the work troops were doing in Afghanistan did not go "unnoticed" by "our leaders". |
| The congregation clapped when Mrs Schmid finished her tribute. | |
| Earlier in the ceremony, Lt Col Robert Thomson MBE, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, said Staff Sgt Schmid was the "bravest and most courageous man" he had ever met. | |
| He said: "Under relentless IED and small arms attacks, Staff Sgt Schmid stood taller than the tallest and we Riflemen loved him for it. | |
| Christina Schmid said more must be done to protect soldiers in Afghanistan | |
| "He saved lives time after time and, for that, he will retain a very special place in the heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary battle group." | |
| A guard of honour fired three rifle volleys outside the cathedral as the cortege left. | |
| Staff Sgt Schmid was deployed to Afghanistan in June and had made safe 64 IEDs and found 11 bomb-making centres. | |
| He took part in Operation Panther's Claw, the Army's offensive to clear populated areas in central Helmand of Taliban insurgents. | He took part in Operation Panther's Claw, the Army's offensive to clear populated areas in central Helmand of Taliban insurgents. |
| Also known as Oz, he joined the Army in 1996 and was made staff sergeant in April 2008. | Also known as Oz, he joined the Army in 1996 and was made staff sergeant in April 2008. |
| School friends of Staff Sgt Schmid also attended the funeral to pay tribute. | |
| Grace Butler went to Penair Secondary School with the soldier. | Grace Butler went to Penair Secondary School with the soldier. |
| Ms Butler, 30, a doctor, said: "He was just a really nice guy, always up for a laugh. When I heard about his death it was pretty devastating. | |
| "It really brings it home to you. You see it on the news all the time, but when it's someone you know, it really brings it home." | "It really brings it home to you. You see it on the news all the time, but when it's someone you know, it really brings it home." |
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| Hundreds mourn army bomb victim | Hundreds mourn army bomb victim |