George Cross For Afghan Bomb Disposal

Two British soldiers are to be awarded one of the highest honours bestowed by the military.

Bomb disposal experts Kim Hughes and the late Olaf Schmid were today named as George Cross recipients for their efforts in Afghanistan.

Mr Schmid, a staff sergeant, will be honoured posthumously with his wife Christina accepting the accolade on his behalf.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, also confirmed the Cross on Staff Sergeant Hughes at a ceremony in London.

The George Crosses will be presented in a royal investiture at a later date.

It ranks alongside the Victoria Cross as the nation's highest award for gallantry.

It is awarded for 'acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger'.

Sir Jock Stirrup said: "The actions of Staff Sergeant Hughes and the late Staff Sergeant Schmid meet this most demanding test in full measure.

"Their selfless commitment, unswerving devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage are both awe-inspiring and humbling.

"The nation will rightly take enormous pride in their service; it owes them and their families an enormous debt of gratitude."

Staff Sergeant Hughes and the late Staff Sergeant Schmid, both from the Royal Logistic Corps, were deployed to Helmand province as part of 19 Light Brigade, between March and November 2009.

As High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Operators, Staff Sergeant Hughes and Staff Sergeant Schmid were at the forefront of trying to neutralise this lethal threat.

SSgt Hughes's actions are described in his citation as 'the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan'.

SSgt Schmid's citation described how he personally dealt with 70 confirmed improvised explosive devices.

He was deployed to Helmand from June until his death in action on 31 October 2009.

He spent long periods of time in close proximity to IEDs and in the gravest personal danger.

Before his death in action he responded to 42 IED tasks, personally dealing with 70 confirmed IEDs.

(PR/BMcC)