Another year, another moment to pause and reflect on James’s rich full life - and feel grateful for his friendship with Fred Crum, cut short in Gaza, and their shared love of horses, their spirit and humour.

James Flower Raxworthy Comer was besties with my great-uncle Fred, and took haunting photos of his wrapped body, his burial and his initial grave decorated with pebbles (now he is in Deir El Belah). Both of them were keen photographers, with Fred's photo of a "best friend" horse being shot particularly well known. We are so grateful to JFRC for being Fred's mate.

In about 1972 I interviewed Jim Comer at Rannerdale Home, along with another resident. Jim Mitchell. I vividly remember the experience, which took some hours. I have the tape somewhere, but i doubt that it has much left on it after all those years. Jim had served at both Gallipoli and with the Mounted rifles in the desert. He often came out with incredible comments, to the ear of a young man like me. I recall asking him where the war ended for him, and he said it was in Damascus. he told the story, then added the king hit "I saw Lawrence of Arabia's entry into Damascus" There were moments during the interview where we shared common understandings. He was a deep thinker. Jim was a very courteous elderly man when I interviewed him, and had a quiet dignity and inner bearing that made my time with him very much appreciated by me.