29 Aug 2011

Tributes for SAS soldier at military service

11:01 pm on 29 August 2011

Corporal Doug Grant, the SAS soldier killed in Afghanistan, has been farewelled at a full military service.

The 41-year-old member of New Zealand's Special Air Service team was shot trying to rescue people from a British Council office during a Taliban attack in Kabul on 19 August. Twelve people, excluding the attackers, died during six hours of fierce fighting.

About 2000 people attended the service at Linton Army Camp near Palmerston North on Monday amid high security due to the presence of SAS troopers among the mourners.

[image:2904:full]

Corporal Grant's body was taken from the Linton Engineers' Chapel where it had lain in state over the weekend to the gymnasium where the service was held.

The casket was escorted by members of the SAS and engineers and followed by his wife Tina and the couple's seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.

Mrs Grant, who also works for the Defence Force, praised her husband's achievements in his family and military life.

[image:2821:third:right]

"Douglas lived an amazing 41 years. What he achieved in that time, some could only begin or not begin to imagine. I believe he had fulfilled most of what he had set out to do. We will all miss him very much, but he is now onto his next mission."

Prime Minister John Key and the Commanding Officer of the SAS, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Parsons, paid tribute to Corporal Grant's efforts, saying he was a hero.

Mr Key said Corporal Grant believed in what the New Zealand Defence Force was doing in Afghanistan and was a courageous soldier.

"Today as Prime Minister of New Zealand, I honour Doug's sacrifice. He paid the ultimate price for his service to this country. He is a true hero and we will never forget him."

Mr Key says New Zealanders will mourn his death with a heavy heart.

Lieutenant Colonel Parsons told those gathered he first met Corporal Grant in 1996 where they began their training and praised his efforts.

"I think if Doug was able to speak for himself ... he'd explain to us why he and why many others like him from across the Defence Force choose to leave safety and civilisation behind and to stand in the gap for others.

"But before he did that, he'd probably call our attention to the sacrifice of First Sergeant Abdul Rahman, who was also killed in action, and the nine Crisis Response Unit members who were wounded."

Corporal Grant's brother, Stuart Grant, says he was committed to the work he was doing in Afghanistan.

"He thought carefully about what he was doing, going back to the group knowing that a combat posting was inevitable.

"He thought about his role in Afghanistan, building independence through training of crisis response units. He spoke passionately about how he could make a positive difference."

The service ended with a haka, after which Corporal Grant's body was taken to Palmerston North for a private service where he will be cremated.

Corporal Grant served in the Defence Force for 21 years. He had served twice in East Timor, once in the former Yugoslavia and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

A private ceremony for Corporal Grant was held last week at Papakura Military Camp in Auckland, where the SAS is based.