Forever heroes, the ex-soldiers who gave their lives trying to help others
... and the other aid workers killed in brutal IDF strike
THE devastated relatives of the three British ex- servicemen killed in Gaza have paid tribute to them – as anger mounts over their deaths in an ‘inhumane’ IDF drone strike.
The trio died when missiles hit their three-car convoy as they tried to help distribute supplies near Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City, on Monday night.
Yesterday the family of SBS hero John Chapman, 57, who had also served in the Royal Marines, said the married father- of-two from Poole, Dorset, would be ‘missed dearly’.
In a statement, they wrote: ‘We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza.
‘He died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act.
‘He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.’
They added: ‘He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be missed dearly’.
Relatives of former Army sniper James Kirby, 47, from the Bristol area, said they are ‘utterly heartbroken’ by his death as they hit out at the ‘ senseless violence’ in Gaza.
‘James understood the dangers of venturing into Gaza, drawing from his experiences in the British Armed Forces, where he bravely served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan,’ their statement read.
‘ Despite the risks, his compassionate nature drove him to offer assistance to those in dire need. A genuine gentleman, James was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, even in the face of senseless violence.’
The statement added the family are ‘incredibly proud of who James was and what he achieved,’ and told the world to ‘never stop caring and trying to help people, love will eventually overcome hate’.
Speaking at his home on the outskirts of Bristol, Mr Kirby’s father Marcel, 75, told the Daily Mail: ‘ James was away a lot with his work but whenever he was back he would come out here to see me.
‘I just can’t believe he won’t be doing that again.’
Explaining that his son had spent time in Northern Ireland, as well as Bosnia and Afghanistan, Marcel added: ‘He knew his job could put him in some difficult situations but he has been in far tighter ones.’
Meanwhile, friends last night described James ‘Jim’ Henderson as a ‘gentle giant’ who ‘brought people together’. The 33-year-old had been a rugby player for Penryn RFC since he was a schoolboy and still regularly turned out for the first team when he was home. The club’s flag was hanging at half mast yesterday.
Director of Rugby Marek Churcher, said: ‘Everybody is totally shocked by what happened. We gathered last night to raise a glass to him.
‘It’s been a really difficult time for those of us who knew him but he will be remembered for a long time.’
Mr Kirby and his fellow Brits all worked for security firm Solace Global. A boss at the firm told the BBC that the three men were ‘ all valued team members, to whom we were very close’ and that it was a ‘tragic loss’.
A 61-year- old SAS veteran who served with Mr Chapman and is familiar with Solace Global from his own security work hit out at the IDF.
The former soldier from the North West, who cannot be identified, had been in Israel before Christmas.
He said: ‘There is no accountability with the IDF.
‘Put it this way, I wouldn’t go into Gaza now because I don’t trust the IDF. John and the others were travelling in a clearly-identified vehicle, providing aid, along the approved route, and they were unarmed.
‘ Yet someone in the IDF pulled the trigger on them – where’s the accountability?’
Julie Marshall, a close friend of Mr Kirby, shared a tribute on Facebook alongside pictures of them together.
‘I am absolutely devastated, a man who literally stole my heart who I will never ever forget,’ she wrote.
‘He was the bravest, kindest soul with a little mix of crazy.
‘He put his whole life into protecting others and fight
ing for what he believed so strongly in.
‘He went through so much yet still had the best humour and kindness.’
The family of Lalzawmi Frankcom, the Australian aid worker killed in the airstrike, said: ‘We are deeply mourning the news that our brave and beloved Zomi has been killed doing the work she loves, delivering food to the people of Gaza.
‘She will leave behind a legacy of compassion, bravery and love for all those in her orbit.’
The Melbourne-born 43-year-old ‘was a kind, selfless and outstanding human being’, they added.