A BID to get a top bravery award for a Didcot-based bomb-disposal expert who was killed in Afghanistan is gaining momentum.

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, 30, died last month as he tried to defuse a bomb in Helmand Province.

The soldier, based with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment at Vauxhall Barracks, had defused 64 bombs on his five-month tour of duty, but the 65th killed him.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, Staff Sgt Schmid, known to family and friends as Oz, could be honoured next year with a posthumous George Cross or Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it was too early to comment.

But Capt Richard Gardener, of 11 EOD Regiment, said: “If it does come to pass, it would be nothing more than Staff Sgt Schmid deserved.”