Gunner
4th Regiment
Royal Artillery
British Army
He was part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Gunner Cusack was participating in a routine reassurance patrol when he was killed during a small arms fire engagement with insurgent forces in an area around Enezai Village.
Aged 20, he was from Smallthorne, Staffordshire. Gnr Cusack enlisted in September 2006, attending the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. After completion of his training, he deployed on his 18th birthday on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. On his return, he was selected to transfer to a Fire Support Team and undertook extensive training in Canada in June and July 2009. He deployed with his unit to Helmand in March 2010 and excelled as a signaller. Commanding officers praised his professionalism, energy and character. Platoon mates described him as outgoing, larger-than-life and a "friend in a million". He was also a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed gym work-outs, boxing and football.
An only child, Gnr Cusack leaves behind his father Sean, mother Tracey and stepfather Dave, along with other relatives and friends. His family released a statement reading: "Zak was a courageous, compassionate and charismatic young man. We are justly proud of not only the job that 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. Zak's loss leaves a hole in our hearts, a chasm in our lives and many, many other broken hearts behind. He had a fire in his soul that will burn brightly in all our memories."
Funeral with full military honours was held on June 17, 2010 at St Saviour's Church, Smallthorne.
*Thanks to Alf and Meredith for the photos
4th Regiment
Royal Artillery
British Army
He was part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Gunner Cusack was participating in a routine reassurance patrol when he was killed during a small arms fire engagement with insurgent forces in an area around Enezai Village.
Aged 20, he was from Smallthorne, Staffordshire. Gnr Cusack enlisted in September 2006, attending the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. After completion of his training, he deployed on his 18th birthday on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. On his return, he was selected to transfer to a Fire Support Team and undertook extensive training in Canada in June and July 2009. He deployed with his unit to Helmand in March 2010 and excelled as a signaller. Commanding officers praised his professionalism, energy and character. Platoon mates described him as outgoing, larger-than-life and a "friend in a million". He was also a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed gym work-outs, boxing and football.
An only child, Gnr Cusack leaves behind his father Sean, mother Tracey and stepfather Dave, along with other relatives and friends. His family released a statement reading: "Zak was a courageous, compassionate and charismatic young man. We are justly proud of not only the job that 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. Zak's loss leaves a hole in our hearts, a chasm in our lives and many, many other broken hearts behind. He had a fire in his soul that will burn brightly in all our memories."
Funeral with full military honours was held on June 17, 2010 at St Saviour's Church, Smallthorne.
*Thanks to Alf and Meredith for the photos
Gunner
4th Regiment
Royal Artillery
British Army
He was part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Gunner Cusack was participating in a routine reassurance patrol when he was killed during a small arms fire engagement with insurgent forces in an area around Enezai Village.
Aged 20, he was from Smallthorne, Staffordshire. Gnr Cusack enlisted in September 2006, attending the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. After completion of his training, he deployed on his 18th birthday on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. On his return, he was selected to transfer to a Fire Support Team and undertook extensive training in Canada in June and July 2009. He deployed with his unit to Helmand in March 2010 and excelled as a signaller. Commanding officers praised his professionalism, energy and character. Platoon mates described him as outgoing, larger-than-life and a "friend in a million". He was also a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed gym work-outs, boxing and football.
An only child, Gnr Cusack leaves behind his father Sean, mother Tracey and stepfather Dave, along with other relatives and friends. His family released a statement reading: "Zak was a courageous, compassionate and charismatic young man. We are justly proud of not only the job that 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. Zak's loss leaves a hole in our hearts, a chasm in our lives and many, many other broken hearts behind. He had a fire in his soul that will burn brightly in all our memories."
Funeral with full military honours was held on June 17, 2010 at St Saviour's Church, Smallthorne.
*Thanks to Alf and Meredith for the photos
4th Regiment
Royal Artillery
British Army
He was part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Gunner Cusack was participating in a routine reassurance patrol when he was killed during a small arms fire engagement with insurgent forces in an area around Enezai Village.
Aged 20, he was from Smallthorne, Staffordshire. Gnr Cusack enlisted in September 2006, attending the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. After completion of his training, he deployed on his 18th birthday on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. On his return, he was selected to transfer to a Fire Support Team and undertook extensive training in Canada in June and July 2009. He deployed with his unit to Helmand in March 2010 and excelled as a signaller. Commanding officers praised his professionalism, energy and character. Platoon mates described him as outgoing, larger-than-life and a "friend in a million". He was also a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed gym work-outs, boxing and football.
An only child, Gnr Cusack leaves behind his father Sean, mother Tracey and stepfather Dave, along with other relatives and friends. His family released a statement reading: "Zak was a courageous, compassionate and charismatic young man. We are justly proud of not only the job that 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. Zak's loss leaves a hole in our hearts, a chasm in our lives and many, many other broken hearts behind. He had a fire in his soul that will burn brightly in all our memories."
Funeral with full military honours was held on June 17, 2010 at St Saviour's Church, Smallthorne.
*Thanks to Alf and Meredith for the photos
