IN MEMORIAM

GNR ZAK CUSACK (20)
4th regiment,
royal artillery
KIA MAY 26 – AFGHANISTAN

A “COURAGEOUS, compassionate and charismatic” soldier died from a gunshot injury suffered during a patrol in southern Afghanistan.
Gnr Zak Cusack, of 4th Regiment, Royal Artillery, was serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (South) when he was fatally wounded by insurgent forces near the village of Enezai.
The 20-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2006 before being posted to 4 RA in Osnabruck, Germany.
He was on his second tour of Afghanistan having previously deployed on Op Herrick 7.
The fitness enthusiast leaves behind mother Tracey and father Sean, who said in a statement: “We are justly proud of not only the job he did, but of the complete person we all knew and loved. For such a young man, Zak’s infectious sense of humour, appetite for life and truly-romantic heart inspired so many others.”
Lt Col Chris Squier, commanding officer of 4 RA, described Gnr Cusack as a “big man” with the personality to match.
He added: “Young, fit and with a healthy love of life, he was always close to, or at the heart of, the action.”
Maj Matt Birch, who trained with Gnr Cusack in Canada, remembered him as a “fit and resourceful” soldier who worked tirelessly for others. He said: “Zak personified the spirit of an artilleryman at its best.”