Cornwall man killed in Gaza will get Truro Cathedral send-off

Family have invited everyone to pay their respects at the funeral for a aid worker from Cornwall killed in Gaza. James Henderson, 33, died alongside six other workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity caught in a blast during a food delivery run on April 1.

James, from Falmouth and also known as Jim and Hendo, was described as a hero for his role in the WCK security team, alongside fellow Brits John Chapman and James Kirby. The three were part of a convoy which had just delivered 100 tonnes of humanitarian food to the Deir al-Balah when they were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Jim's funeral will be held at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday (May 22) at 12pm and his family has 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.

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The cortège will travel down Lemon Street at roughly 11.35am. Instead of flowers, Jim's family have said that donations can be made to World Central Kitchen, the charity James worked with at the time of his tragic death.

Truro Business Improvement District shared on Instagram: "We've been asked to share the arrangements for the funeral of former Royal Marine and security professional James Henderson, known to all as Jim, following his death in Gaza in April. The arrangements have also been published in local media.

"Jim’s funeral service will take place at Truro Cathedral next Wednesday 22 May at 12 noon. Jim’s family would like to extend an invitation to anyone wishing to pay their respects at the service. Alternatively, you are welcome to line the streets between Boscawen Street and High Cross (outside Truro Cathedral).
"The cortège will travel down Lemon Street at roughly 11.35am. Family flowers only, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to World Central Kitchen.
"Jim’s family are grateful for any donations in his memory to World Central Kitchen, as Jim was passionate about helping others.
"Donations can be made via: james-henderson-1990-2024.muchloved.com, on the day or care of the funeral directors: Penryn & Falmouth Funeral Directors, 50 Kernick Road, Penryn TR10 9DQ. 01326 376926 (24 hours)"

Seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli air strike while delivering food to besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with the charity World Central Kitchen. Three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen and a Palestinian died when the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse on Monday.

Jim has previously been described as “strong, brave, loyal and fearless” by Harry James-Mills, in a tribute released last month. Harry grew up with Jim in Falmouth and had known him since the age of seven. He told the PA news agency he met with Jim the same night he was due to travel to Gaza and the pair spoke of their pride in his work with WCK.

“We shared a dinner together along with a few other people and I feel so happy that I shared that moment with him. We spoke about (him travelling to Gaza), but he said he was really proud about what he was doing. He wasn’t carrying any weapons. He wasn’t wearing any sort of uniform. He was just doing something that was really good.”

He added: “Jimmy represented what I aspire to be as a modern masculine man because he was strong, brave, loyal and fearless but at the same time he was completely soft, loving and connected to his family and friends.”

John Chapman, from Dorset and James Kirby, from Bristol also lost their lives in the same explosion on April 1. With them were Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Abu Taha, Australian Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom, Damian Sobol from Poland and Jacob Flickinger from the US.

Crowds marched out in Bristol today (May 15) in honour of Bristol-born James Kirby. Large crowds lined the streets in the city to celebrate his life at St Mary Redcliffe Church, BristolLive reports.