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

After outpourings of grief in recent weeks, including heartbreaking tributes at a vigil, and ahead of his funeral on Wednesday (May 22) at Truro Cathedral, his family, who have previously blamed the government for his death, have issued a tribute to his "larger than life presence". Jim’s family said he was an "incredible man" who had been "taken too soon" but "died doing something that mattered to him".

They added they would "never comprehend his loss" as the former Royal Marine had "so much more to achieve in his life". Fundraisers were set up for his family and favourite club in the days after he died.

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The full family 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 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.”

James - also known as Hendo - had a strong passion for rugby and “followed his dreams” by joining The Royal Marines and seeing front-line action in Afghanistan, while “people” were at the heart of everything he did and drove him to “be better”, his family said.

The statement continued: “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.”

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. 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.

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. The funeral of his colleague, James Kirby, was attended by hundreds of people in Bristol on Wednesday (May 15). The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a “serious mistake”.

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