Brother of SAS Corporal killed in action opens up about loss ahead of first Anzac Day in years without NZ troops in Afghanistan

For the first Anzac Day in two decades there will be no New Zealand soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan.

Our 20-year deployment ended in March - 3500 troops served during that time, and 10 never made it home alive.

The brother of SAS Corporal Douglas Grant has never spoken about his loss - until now.

"This is the last real picture we have of the five us boys together," Stuart Grant says as he points to a photo from early 2011.

A photo from 2011 is the last photo Grant has with his brother.
A photo from 2011 is the last photo Grant has with his brother. Photo credit: Supplied

Corporal Grant was shot and killed while trying to rescue hostages at the British Council in Kabul in August that year.

"The action that he was killed undertaking was highly reflective of his motivation for being in the army," Grant added.

His actions saved lives that day and following his death, the family was presented with the New Zealand Memorial Cross in recognition of Corporal Grant's sacrifice.

Every year since, on Anzac Day, the Grant family has gathered to remember their "Dougie."  

"You feel like the country's there with ya and that really means something you know," Grant told Newshub.

Of the 3500 New Zealand soldiers who served in Afghanistan, 10 died.  

"These were people that had chosen to serve in our Defence Force and took great pride in wearing the uniform and representing our nation," Chief of Army Major General John Boswell says.

"That they paid the ultimate sacrifice is something we should never forget."

Our deployment was scheduled to end in May but in March the last of our soldiers exited the NATO headquarters in Kabul.

Brother of SAS Corporal killed in action opens up about loss ahead of first Anzac Day in years without NZ troops in Afghanistan
Photo credit: Supplied

Lowering the New Zealand flag for the final time, ending our 20 year deployment. 

Senior National Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben Bagley was the last Kiwi soldier to step on to the plane home. 

"There is some man, woman, child in Afghanistan who is hopefully doing better because of the work we've put in," he told Newshub after his return.

His return closing the chapter on our longest modern day deployment.