Private service for elite SAS soldier today

The 21-year army veteran was on his second deployment to Afghanistan when he was fatally wounded. Photo / Supplied

Slain SAS soldier Doug Grant will be farewelled in a private service in Auckland today before a military funeral in Palmerston North on Monday.

Corporal Grant, 41, was shot dead last week during an operation to rescue hostages at the British Council cultural centre in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, which was being attacked by the Taleban.

His body arrived in New Zealand yesterday on a commercial flight and was met by his family and senior representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force.

The Defence Force said the private service would be at the Papakura military camp today and the full military funeral at Linton army base.

Cpl Grant died on Friday when he was shot under the armpit and the bullet passing through his heart.

He has been a soldier for 21 years and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

His wife, Tina, is in the Defence Force's education core and previously was a medic.

Earlier this week his family said he knew the dangers of Afghanistan but believed in the mission he was there to do.

In a tribute, his family said he was determined in his pursuit of his goals and in a school essay years ago wrote that he wanted to be in the SAS.

"He worked towards that goal from that time onwards and convinced the army he could do the job.

"He shied away from the spotlight preferring to focus his attentions on his family and getting whatever job he tackled done to the best of his considerable abilities whether it was building a house, being a soldier, or being a husband and father."

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, seven, and a son, five.

- NZPA