The funeral of a security guard killed in an Israeli air strike took place in Bristol.
James Kirby, 47, was one of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers killed in April 1 attackincluding two other Brits.
Around 400 people gathered at St Mary Redcliffe Church on Wednesday to pay their respects to Mr Kirby.
His best friend, Brendan Forbes, said: “It’s very difficult to quantify the magnitude of what happened to such a great guy.”
A member of the WCK security team, Kirby was killed when armed Israeli drones fired ammunition at three marked vehicles in the aid convoy as it left one of the group’s warehouses in Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City.
The charity said the convoy had just unloaded more than 100 tonnes of food aid brought in from abroad.
Britons John Chapman, 57, and James “Jim” Henderson, 33, also died in the attack and have since been repatriated.
Forbes had been friends with Kirby since they were Army cadets at age 13.
“I know him as a best friend, I know him as an impeccable soldier,” he said.
“Even when we left the Army, we worked together as carpenters on construction sites.
“He is my brother.
“He was also the kind of guy who read the room really well and brought you in.
“In a room of 100 people, he would make you feel like you were the only one,” he added.
“I guess that’s why he has so many friends.”
“Wherever James was, Bristol was,” My Forbes added.
“Everyone knew where Bristol was when they spoke to Kirby.”
He said the last conversation was when Kirby was at the airport on his way to Gaza.
“I was more than happy for him to make sure he was doing a good job.”
On Tuesday, before the funeral, Mr Kirby’s mother, Jacqui, described him as, “a remarkable man”.
She added: “I will miss him terribly and cannot understand a future without his presence.”
‘Amazing guy’
Another friend who attended the funeral, Veiner Gaston, described Mr Kirby as “a good friend” and “a brother” who was always by his side.
The two became friends after spending six months working together in Afghanistan.
“He was an incredible guy. There was never a dull moment with him.
“He would make you feel special,” he said, adding, “He never asked anyone for anything.”
Mr Gaston said: “It’s been difficult without him.”
He added that his friend was “very enthusiastic” about helping the people of Gaza.
“It made him happy, helping people.”
Canon Dan Tyndall, vicar of St Mary Redcliffe, who led the service, said: “Just as James served the world and his country in life, I hope that what we will do is serve James in his death.”
He explained that people from all over the world were participating in the live broadcast of the funeral.
“We need to do what we can to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of someone who gave his life in the service of his country and in the service of humanity in general.”
Canon Tyndall encouraged people to light a candle while watching the service online, explaining that there would be seven candles lit on the altar for each of the aid workers who were killed.
“These candles will continue from here until the next funeral next week and the third one next week.”
They will then be distributed to the seven families of the aid workers who died.
“We are trying to reinforce the notion that light is stronger than darkness and that love is stronger than hate,” he added.
Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X It is Instagram. Send your story ideas to us via email or WhatsApp: 0800 313 4630.
