Hundreds of people lined the streets of Oxford this afternoon to pay tribute bomb-disposal expert Olaf Schmid.

Staff Sgt Schmid, 30, who was based at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot, died on Saturday as he attempted to defuse a bomb in the Sangin region of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Today his body was repatriated to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. His funeral cortege when drove to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where a post mortem examination will be held.

Troops from Dalton Barracks in Abingdon stood alongside Royal British Legion representatives and members of the public as Staff Sgt Schmid’s coffin arrived at about 3.30pm

Royal British Legion flags were lowered as the hearse was driven past.

Sgt Danny Free, 31, of 4 Logistic Support Regiment, a friend of Staff Sgt Schmid said: “He had an infectious personality — once you met him you could not forget him.”

Corp Sean Beck, 30, of 12 Logistic Support Regiment, added: “I served with Staff Sgt Schmid in the Falklands in 2002. The job he did was vital, protecting foot soldiers and vehicle supplies.”

Jim Lewendon, county vice chairman of the Royal British Legion, said: “There has been a very good turn out in both Headley Way and Marsh Lane and we appreciate the support of the soldiers from Dalton Barracks.”