Funeral held for 'larger than life' Cornish aid volunteer killed in Gaza
James Henderson, from Falmouth, was among seven aid workers who died in April
Last updated 22nd May 2024
The family of a Cornish man killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza are planning a big send-off for a larger-than-life character.
James "Jim" Henderson, 33, from Falmouth, was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers who died when their convoy was hit outside the Deir al-Balah warehouse last month.
Family and friends are gathering at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday to say goodbye to the former Royal Marine turned humanitarian worker.
His brothers, Matt and Daniel, say 'Jim' has left a legacy behind him.
Matt Henderson, James' older brother, told us: "I'm proud that he is my brother. I'm proud of what he did and how in his life he was able to connect with so many people in so many different ways.
"He was everyone's mate and liked to help people, liked to do things with people. I think he'd be proud, humbled and touched with how people thought of him."
Mr Henderson formed part of WCK's security detail and died alongside fellow British veterans John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47.
Daniel Henderson, James' brother, said: "Very selfless act where the average person wouldn't want to put themselves in that danger and understandably so. For Jim, that wasn't going to stop him or scare him off.
"Thank you for everyone's support in the wider community as a whole, everyone's been very supportive. That's given us as a family surprisingly a lot of comfort, more than we could've expected."
Ahead of the service, Jim’s fiancée Jacqui, and the Henderson family, said:
"It’s not the size of the candle but the brightness of it’s flame that counts and this couldn’t be more true than when we think about Jim. Whilst he was taken from us far too soon, and with so much more to achieve in his life, we gain comfort in knowing that he lived every minute of his time on earth, to the fullest extent. The thousands of messages we have received from all parts of the globe bear testament to what we already know, and had the privilege of witnessing daily, at close quarters.
"As a boy he embraced his time at school and was passionate about sport, in particular Rugby, and that passion never left him. As he grew in to the incredible man he became, he followed his dreams by joining The Royal Marines and saw front-line action in Afghanistan. Never one to sit still, as new opportunities came his way, he took hold of each one, and approached it with his trademark enthusiasm.
"Through everything Jim did, at the heart of it was people. Whether it was children starting out in Rugby or Boxing, or those less fortunate than he was, it was people who drove Jim to want to do more, and be better. It was this drive that took him to Gaza in support of World Central Kitchen, and those so badly affected by the conflict in the region. Whilst we will never comprehend his loss, we know that he died doing something that mattered to him, he was making a difference and for that, at least, we are grateful.
"Above all others, those that mattered most to Jim were his fiancée Jacqui, and his family. “Proud” does not come close to expressing how we all feel for what Jim achieved, and we know would have gone to achieve. Whilst mourning the loss of him, and what he would have undoubtedly continued 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 that his flame will continue to burn brightly in each and every one of us as we look to a future without his larger than life presence in it."