Widow praises warrior but pleads for peace

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 21:50

THE widow of a bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan the day before he was due to return home made an emotional plea for peace at his funeral yesterday.

Christina Schmid urged the public to "unite" behind British troops as her husband Olaf was laid to rest. But she also called on politicians to "tirelessly fight" with "his same spirit, dedication and integrity" to end the war and offer more protection to British servicemen and women.

Staff Sergeant Schmid, 30, died on 31 October while trying to disarm an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Sangin region of Helmand province. Mrs Schmid said his death must not be in vain. She added: "In my eyes, my husband – my son's father – was a warrior. Warriors are unique; our protectors – not destroyers.

"Oz 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. We might disagree with a war; however, I hope Olaf's death, our community display of respect, can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops."

In a call for the government to do more to protect the services, she added: "I hope the work Olaf and others like him undertake on our behalf is not taken for granted any more or goes unnoticed by our leaders.

"From now on, I expect our peacemakers to show us they are working as hard as he did to preserve life. I'd like to see them push themselves and serve us like never before. I want to see them tirelessly fight with his same spirit, dedication and integrity day in, day out for peace.

"For, at present, too many die, too many veterans exist in silence, too many are left with disability, and they and their families and communities serve as broken scapegoats."

After Mrs Schmid spoke at Truro Cathedral, in Cornwall, she received a round of applause from the 900 mourners there to pay their respects.

Mrs Schmid, 34, lived with her husband and their five-year-old son, Laird, in Winchester, Hampshire. Hundreds of members of the public lined the streets as the hearse carrying the soldier's coffin pulled up to the cathedral, near where Staff Sgt Schmid grew up.

Soldiers fired three volleys and Royal British Legion veterans raised their standards as the coffin, adorned with the soldier's beret and a wreath, was carried inside.

Uniformed soldiers, family and friends filled the Gothic revival cathedral, and listened as Mrs Schmid stepped forward to the altar to speak of her loss.

Wearing her husband's medals, Mrs Schmid remained composed as she said the past 18 months of her husband's life presented his "toughest, darkest challenges ever".

"When he felt compromised, overwhelmed or threatened, I've wiped his tears, carried him and fought his fears for him. Becoming his widow has been the hardest thing I've ever done with him. He has made me so proud."

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Thomson MBE, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, told the congregation Staff Sgt Schmid was the "bravest and most courageous man" he had ever met.

"Oz was one in a million and one knew it from the moment that loud, delightful, charming and expansive soldier of all soldiers walked into one's office. 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."

He described how on one occasion he dealt with 31 deadly devices in one day. He also paid tribute to Mrs Schmid, saying: "Christina, your dignity and fortitude have been inspiring to our whole nation and I know Oz would be intensely proud of your conduct over these last dreadful weeks."

Staff Sgt Schmid, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was deployed to Afghanistan five months ago and in that time he had made safe 64 IEDs and found 11 bomb-making centres. He died trying to defuse his 65th.