Bomb disposal experts awarded George Cross

Two British military bomb disposal experts, one of whom gave his life in the line of duty, have been awarded one of the UK's highest awards for gallantry, the George Cross.



At a special ceremony in London today, Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, confirmed that Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes and his fallen colleague the late Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid are to have the gallantry award bestowed upon them.

SSgt Hughes and Mrs Christina Schmid, SSgt Schmid's widow, were present at the ceremony, where they were both personally congratulated by Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and the Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth.

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

These honours are part of Operational Awards List No 34, the remainder of which will be announced tomorrow, Friday 19 March 2010.

The George Cross 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'.