Tribute from family of Cornwall man killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza | News

The funeral of James ‘Jim’ Henderson, 33, will take place in Truro on Wednesday (May 22) next week.

The family of a Cornwall man killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza have paid tribute to his “larger than life presence” and “legacy”.

James “Jim” Henderson, 33, was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers who died when their convoy was hit outside the warehouse in Deir al-Balah last month.

In a statement released by Devon & Cornwall Police, his family described him as an “incredible man” who “had died doing something that mattered to him”.

They added that they will “never understand his loss” as the former Royal Marine had “much more to achieve in his life”.

Mr Henderson, from Cornwall, was part of WCK’s security detail and died alongside fellow British veterans John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47.

The family’s statement read: “It’s not the size of the candle, but the brightness of its flame that counts, and that can’t be more true than when we think of Jim.

“Although he was taken from us far too soon and with so much to accomplish in his life, we take comfort in knowing that he lived every minute of his time on earth to the fullest.”

James had a strong passion for rugby and ‘followed his dreams’ by joining The Royal Marines and seeing frontline action in Afghanistan, while ‘the people’ were at the heart of everything he did and determined to “be better”, his family. said.

The statement continued: “This trip took him to Gaza in support of World Central Kitchen and those so badly affected by the conflict in the region.

“Although we will never understand his loss, we know that he died doing something that mattered to him, that he made a difference, and for that, at least, we are grateful.

“Above all others, the people who mattered most to Jim were his fiancee Jacqui and his family. “Proud” doesn’t come close to expressing how we all feel about what Jim accomplished and know he could have accomplished.

“As we mourn his loss and what he would undoubtedly have gone on to do with his life, we also reflect on his legacy and the many people who will continue to benefit from what he started.

We love him. We miss him. We celebrate his achievements.

“We know his flame will continue to burn brightly in each of us as we look to a future without his larger-than-life presence in it.”

Mr Henderson’s funeral will take place at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday, May 22.

His colleague Mr Kirby’s funeral was attended by hundreds of people in Bristol on Wednesday (May 15).

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a “serious mistake.”

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