THE coffin of bomb disposal expert Olaf Schmid will soon begin its journey from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to Oxford.
Didcot-based Staff Sgt Schmid, 30, died on Saturday while trying to make a bomb safe in the Sangin region of Helmand province — the last day of his five-month tour.
The plane bringing his body back to the UK landed before lunchtime and his coffin, draped in the Union flag, is about to be driven to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a post mortem examination.
Staff Sgt Schmid was based with the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot, and hundreds of people are expected to line the route between the air base and Oxford to pay their respects.
Royal British Legion members are gathering in Headley Way, Headington to lower their standards as Staff Sgt Schmid’s coffin is driven past at about 2.30pm.
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