THE commanding officer of Oxfordshire’s bomb disposal heroes has described their bravery as “truly humbling”.

About 70 servicemen and women from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment (EOD), Royal Logistic Corps, have returned to Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot, in the last two weeks after a gruelling six-month tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

They led a Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force which defused more than 1,000 bombs.

Two Oxfordshire-based soldiers and another five members of the task force lost their lives during the tour.

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex told the Oxford Mail: “I have nothing but deep honour to be commanding such amazing people.

“The relentless nature of the work really calls for an amazing amount of self-commitment and out-and-out bravery.

“It is not one fleeting moment in time when they have to show bravery, like storming a machine gun post, but day-in and day-out, knowing that you are placing yourself in harm’s way. It is truly humbling.”

Describing the death of colleagues, Lt Col Bex said: “The first reaction is obviously very deep sadness. It does hit hard.

“But then people really just crack on with the job in hand.

“That is honouring those who we have lost. They died knowing what they did was incredibly vital and was saving lives.

“There are a lot of younger guys who will have continued out in Afghanistan, and it will not be often until they return home to the UK that it really, properly kicks in and they can conduct the grieving process properly.

“A lot have been through a hell of a tough time. Some people have seen death, injury, and quite unpleasant scenes in the course of duty, and they are all human.

“The families also find it incredibly difficult. A bit like the guys, I am amazed by their resilience. Their fortitude is quite incredible.”

Among the bomb disposal experts to be killed was Staff Sergeant Olaf ‘Oz’ Schmid, who was awarded the George Cross posthumously.

The task force’s chief clerk, Sgt Tony Howley, said: “It was the worst tour I have had. None of us were prepared for the amount of casualties.

“Oz was one of the EOD family. Everyone knew him. A lot of tears were shed by a lot of people.

“Now we are back it is time to remember him and have a few beers in his memory.”

Capt Fiona Dangerfield said: “It has been an emotional rollercoaster. While we know we have come back, seven families have not got their sons or husbands back.”

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk