We’re so blessed to have had him
Parents’ agony as British boy of 7 confirmed dead
Julian Cadman, who was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was with his mother Jumarie on Las Ramblas during the attack last Thursday.
His mother suffered extensive serious injuries – and last night remained in hospital – and the schoolboy’s loved ones had launched a desperate appeal for information about him.
But their hopes were dashed after authorities confirmed that Julian – a dual BritishAustralian national – had been among the 13 killed in the attack.
Julian’s father Andrew, a 42- year- old cabinet-maker, flew to Barcelona on Saturday from Sydney, where the family had moved from the UK three years ago, along with the boy’s grandmother.
He had heard about the Barcelona attack over the radio, and then was unable to get in touch with his wife.
It is understood that they arrived in the early hours of Saturday and were taken straight to the city mortuary.
In a statement yesterday, Julian’s family said: ‘Julian was a much-loved and adored member of our family.
‘As he was enjoying the sights of Barcelona with his mother, Julian was sadly taken from us. He was so energetic, funny and cheeky, always bringing a smile to our faces.
‘We are so blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts.
‘We would like to thank all those who helped us in searching for Julian. Your kindness was incredible during a difficult time.
‘ We also acknowledge we are not the only family to be affected by the events, our prayers and thoughts are with all people affected.’
Julian’s great-aunt Norma Canaveral, 66, who is a nurse living in Plaistow, East London, said that the family did not want to comment any further at this time.
Mrs Cadman and Julian – who has been described as a boy who loved to dance and fill his pockets with Lego – were in Spain for a family wedding when they were caught up in the van attack on Las Ramblas. Julian’s grandfather Tony Cadman had urged people to share a photograph of Julian online on Facebook on Friday as fears for his safety grew.
In the picture, he was wearing
‘Energetic, funny and cheeky’
the jumper of Chiddingstone Nursery School in Kent.
A relative has told how Mrs Cadman, who is originally from the Philippines, was reportedly undergoing further operations in hospital after suffering broken legs, bro- ken arms, a broken hand and facial injuries in the attack.
On Twitter yesterday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson posted: ‘I send my sincerest sympathies to the family of Julian Cadman and all those who loved him. His death is a tragedy.
‘The Foreign Office, our Australian colleagues and the Spanish authorities continue to do all we can to support his family at this deeply distressing time.’
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: ‘We are assisting the family of an Australian-British child who was killed in the Barcelona terrorist attack. His family have our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time. Our staff are doing all they can to support them, working with our Australian colleagues and the Spanish authorities.’
Citizens of 34 countries were caught up in the attack in Spain’s second city, including England, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Australia, Canada, the US, France and China.
Authorities had last night identified 11 of the 13 victims from the van attack.
The youngest victim was threeyear-old Spaniard Javier Martinez, who had been walking along the boulevard with four members of his family. His great-uncle, 57-yearold Francisco Lopez Rodriguez, was also killed.
Other confirmed victims include American Jared Tucker, 43, who had been celebrating his first wedding anniversary, and Belgian Elke Vanbockrijck, a 44- year- old mother- of-two who had been on holiday with her family.
Meanwhile Spaniard Ana María Suarez died in the Cambrils attack in the early hours of Friday.
The 61-year-old, from Zaragoza, north- east Spain, was with her husband and sister, who were both injured in the attack, according to Radio Television Espanola. THE family of a seven-year- old British boy killed in the Barcelona attack said yesterday they were ‘blessed’ to have had him.