John Chapman (left) was named alongside James as «Jim»; Henderson (centre) and James Kirby (right) next to three Britons killed in an IDF attack on an aid convoy in the Gaza Strip
A British aid worker was killed in an «inhumane act» after an Israeli strike on the convoy, his family said.
John Chapman, 57, who was said to have served in the Royal Marines, was killed when an aid convoy bombed in the Gaza Strip on Monday.
In A statement from his family said: “We are devastated by the loss of John, who was killed in the Gaza Strip. He died trying to help people and was subjected to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
“We ask that you give us space and time to grieve properly. He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. We will miss him dearly.”
James Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, were named along with Chapman as the three British citizens killed in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attack on the aid convoy. delivers food to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
All three were former military personnel responsible for security for the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen. A total of seven aid workers were killed in the airstrikes.
Kirby, known as Kirbs, was described by his «heartbroken» family as a «true gentleman» and a «hero» who was driven to help «those in dire need «.
Chapman's family said he was «loved by many»; and “died trying to help people”; Photo: World Central Kitchen/WCK.org
His family said in a statement: “As a family we are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of our beloved James Kirby. Along with the other six people who tragically died, he will be remembered as a hero.
“James understood the dangers of going to Gaza, drawing on his experience in the British Armed Forces, where he bravely served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Despite the risks, his compassionate nature led him to offer help to those in dire need.
“A true gentleman, James was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, even in the face of senseless violence. James died trying to save others, he will never know the void he left, our family will never be the same.
“We are incredibly proud of who James was and what he achieved. Never stop caring and trying to help people, love will ultimately conquer hate.»
«In our eyes, they are all heroes»
Adam McGuire, Kirby's cousin, said he had been contacted by a Buckingham Palace representative to arrange for the king's condolences to be conveyed to the family.
«It's really nice to know they're thinking of us,» the 49-year-old said McGuire, recycling manager.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said any messages of condolence would be sent privately.
McGuire said the family wanted answers from Israel and the British government about whether how the tragedy could have happened.
He said that as of Wednesday afternoon they had yet to receive contact from the Israeli government following the airstrike.
He told The Telegraph: “We are very sad, not only for James, but for other people like us who have passed away As has been said, they are all heroes in our eyes.”
Kirby, from Bristol, was a British Army sniper and marksman who joined the army in 1994. On his LinkedIn profile, he says he «maintains a calm demeanor under extreme pressure, including life-threatening situations.»
He guarded Wimbledon tennis stars as an escort for the players, protecting them as they walked to and from the court. He also provided security for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.
He has taken on a number of maritime security and close protection responsibilities, describing himself as «willing and able to work on international assignments and travel freely.» as necessary.»
According to his friends, James «Jim»; Henderson was only in Gaza for «a couple of weeks»; before his death Photo: World Central Kitchen/WCK.org
Referring to a renovation project in Somerset he completed last year, he wrote in November: “I'm ready to focus on myself again and start a new chapter. maybe buy a new shirt instead of another roll of insulation.”
A relative wrote on Facebook: “My cousin James Kirby was killed yesterday in the Gaza Strip while working to help innocent people.”
p>“I will always be proud of our family’s hero. The kindest, cheerful and sweetest person. Rest in peace Kirbs.»
In 2018, Kirby told BristolLive how he lost the war medals awarded to him after serving in Belfast, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
He then said: » I feel absolutely empty. It's more than just things, it's like losing a family. Getting my medals back would mean more to me than most people could imagine.
“Thinking of the comrades and friends who fought alongside me, some of whom lost their lives and many others who suffered life-changing injuries. This thought never leaves me. These medals pay tribute to all who served.»
Kirby, from Bristol, was a British Army sniper and marksman < p>All The three Britons killed in the Gaza Strip worked as private security contractors for the British company Solace Global.
Matthew Harding, non-executive director of Solace Global, told the BBC the men were «universally valued». members of the crew with whom we were very close» and it was a «tragic loss.»
He added that these people served as «convoy safety and security advisors.»
Chapman was a former Royal Marine from Dorset. He was also reported to have served in the Special Boat Service, a special forces unit of the Royal Navy.
Henderson, known as Jim, attended Penryn Sports College before starting his career as a roofer in his native Falmouth in Cornwall.
Penryn RFC yesterday flew the club flag at half-mast to pay respects to the death of Henderson, who played flanker and has been number eight in the rugby club since he was a schoolboy.
Mr Henderson plays for Penryn Rugby Football Club
Following the news of his death on Tuesday, around 40 teammates and friends and family met at the clubhouse to mark his memory.
Marek Churcher, the club's director of rugby, said: «He was very physically strong a guy on the field and a gentle giant off it.
“We loved having him around and missed him when he was away, although when he came home he often appeared with a pair of boots, and sometimes without them, and was always a real presence on the pitch.” .
“He was a guy who kept his cards close to his chest about his personal life.
“Everyone is absolutely shocked by what happened, we got together last night to raise a glass to him.” It's not just Falmouth & Penrhyn Rugby Club — it's a tight-knit community and he will be greatly missed by the whole community.»
Penryn RFC lowered its club flag to half-mast in respect of Henderson's death
His LinkedIn profile states that he served in the Special Forces and was a member of the Royal Marines for six years.
He described himself as «extremely fit and military disciplined» and wrote that as «a military professional, [he] takes the health and safety of others very seriously.»
Despite his extensive experience in the Armed Forces, he stated that his “true calling is in security,” albeit in a “civilian position.”
After leaving the military in 2016, he worked as a security guard at a wind farm in the northeast before working several close protection jobs (one of which was based in Iraq) and then volunteering with WCK.
< p>According to friends, he was only in Gaza for “a couple of weeks” before his death.
“As terrible as it was, it shows how loved he was and how he brought people together. It was a truly difficult time for those of us who knew him, but he will be remembered for a long time.”
The leader of the convoy group, Lalzawmi «Zomi» Frankcom, 43, an Australian citizen, was also killed, as were American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33, Polish citizen Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddine Issam Ayyad Abutaha, 25 years.
The convoy was shot down as it left a warehouse in Deir el-Balah, where the team was unloading more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid delivered to Gaza via the sea route, the charity said.
Bodies of the dead Six foreign aid workers headed back to their home countries on Wednesday after being transferred from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, Egyptian state television reported.
Abutahi's remains were handed over to his family for burial. in the Gaza Strip.
The remaining bodies were taken to Egypt through the Rafah crossing.
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