THE HAMPSHIRE widow of a hero bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan paid tribute to her husband as she received his George Cross.
Christina Schmid was presented with the military honour at a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace and dedicated the decoration to the “sacrifice” made by British forces fighting in the country.
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.
Following the presentation, Mrs Schmid, from Winchester, who was joined by her son Laird said: “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.
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