Emotional tributes at funeral for Bristol aid worker killed in Gaza
James Kirby was among seven killed by an Israeli air strike in April
Last updated 15th May 2024
Emotional tributes have been paid to a Bristol aid worker, one of three British people killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza.
Family, friends and former colleagues gathered at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol for the service.
One friend broke down in tears as she paid tribute to James during the church service: "Today is for you, all of this love is for you.
"Your mum has a whole platoon looking out for her on your behalf. Go peacefully now, James. You will never be forgotten."
Speaking outside the church, Veiner Gaston, who worked with James back in 2010, spoke about his former colleagues character: "He was amazing. He would be doing something and you would call him, and he would drop whatever he was doing to come to your aid.
"He was kind to everyone, doesn't matter your age, where you're from, what your religious beliefs are, he would be kind to you.
"He was bigger than life, his aura was so great."
James Kirby who was 47, was among seven people killed in total when a drone strike hit a convoy of vehicles from World Central Kitchen, which was attempting to deliver food to the civilian population.
Israel went on to call it a "grave mistake" and sacked two senior military officers it blamed for the strike.
Ahead of the funeral his mum Jacqui Kirby said: "As we gather for the funeral service at St. Mary’s Redcliffe, to celebrate the life of my son, James, I cannot express more deeply my gratitude for the outpouring of love I have seen over the weeks since his tragic death in Gaza.
“James was a remarkable man, a true friend to so many people and above all, he was my son.
“I will miss him beyond measure and cannot comprehend a future without his presence.
“But, I take great comfort from knowing he died doing something that really mattered to him, and the knowledge that he was loved by so many people from all walks of life.”
James Henderson (33) from Falmouth in Cornwall and 57-year-old John Chapman from Poole in Dorset were also killed in the strike.
At the opening of an inquest into their deaths at Avon Coroners Court last month, it was confirmed all three died from blast injuries.