Family pays tribute to ‘incredible man’ killed in Gaza airstrike

The family of the Cornwall man killed in an airstrike in Gaza have paid tribute to his life which he lived “to the full”. James “Jim” Henderson of Falmouth was one of seven World Central Kitchen volunteers who died when their convoy was hit outside the Deir al-Balah warehouse on April 1.

After an outpouring of grief in recent weeks, and ahead of his funeral on Wednesday (May 22) at Truro Cathedral, his family, who had previously blamed the government for his death, paid tribute to his “larger than life presence”. Jim’s family said he was an “incredible man” who was “taken too soon” but “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”. Fundraisers were set up for his family and favorite club in the days after his death.

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The family’s full statement, which was released by Devon and Cornwall Police today (Friday, May 17), said: “It’s not the size of the candle but the brightness of its flame that matters and that couldn’t be more true than when we think at Jim’s.

“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 – also known as Hendo – had a strong passion for rugby and ‘followed his dreams’ by joining the Royal Marines and seeing frontline action in Afghanistan, with ‘people’ at the heart of it all what he did and led him 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 else, 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.”

Jim’s funeral will be held at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday (May 22) at 12pm and his family have extended an invitation to anyone who wishes to pay their respects at the service. Well-wishers are also encouraged to line the streets between Boscawen Street and High Cross, outside the cathedral. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family said donations can be made to World Central Kitchen, the charity James was working with at the time of his tragic death.

John Chapman, from Dorset, and James Kirby, from Bristol, also lost their lives in the same explosion on April 1. Alongside them were Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Abu Taha, Australian Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom, Poland’s Damian Sobol and USA’s Jacob Flickinger. Hundreds of people attended the funeral of his colleague James Kirby in Bristol on Wednesday (15 May). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a “serious mistake.”

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