Call For Old Workmates To Come Forward With Information About Lichfield and Stafford Companies

The family of a grandfather-of-three from Hednesford who died of asbestos-related disease have launched an emotional appeal for his old workmates to come forward with information about how he may have developed the illness.

Terence Harvey – who was known by family and friends as Terry – died aged 77, just a month after tests confirmed that he had developed mesothelioma. A cancer of the lining of the lung, the illness is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos materials.

Shortly before he died, Terry, who grew up in Hill Ridware, near Rugeley instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and help him determine how it emerged.

His loved ones, including son, Nolan, 46, and daughter, Justine, 43, are now determined to honour his memory and are continuing his search for answers.

They have now joined with the legal experts to appeal for anyone who worked at Bison Concrete (Midlands) Ltd in Lichfield or at GEC Power Engineering in Stafford to come forward with details about the presence of asbestos at the sites.

Expert Opinion

“Terry was a much-loved dad and granddad and Nolan, Justine and the rest of the family remain devastated by their loss.

“Our investigations have led us to believe he was probably exposed to asbestos at these companies, but we now require more information..

“We would be hugely grateful if anyone who may recall working at either Bison or GEC could come forward and help us in our efforts. Any amount of detail could make a big difference.” Iain Shoolbred - Senior Associate Solicitor

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Terry grew up in Hill Ridware, near Rugeley and left Rugeley Secondary Modern school aged 15 at Christmas 1956. He worked at a timber yard before joining Bison Concrete (Midlands) Ltd in 1957 where he was employed for 10 years.

He spent this time primarily assisting his father, William ‘Bill’ Harvey, who was a crane driver for the company. Terry’s role included having to cut sections of concrete in on-site sheds and the process often meant huge clouds of dust developed.

Terry worked as a crane driver for GEC Power Engineering Ltd at the company’s factory in Stafford from 1967 to 1974. Prior to his death, he recalled that he would unload components from lorries and believed he delivered lagging used on turbines made at the site. He also recalled that materials on the roof of the building were disturbed by vibrations from cranes situated nearby.

Terry then returned to work for Bison Concrete (Midlands) in 1974 and stayed there until 1985. This time his role revolved around the mixing shed where concrete was made and he recalled that all of the sheds appeared to have asbestos cement roofs.

Terry lived for many years in the Burntwood area before moving to Cannock in 1991 and subsequently Hednesford.

Nolan said: “The entire family was devastated when we lost Dad and we all miss him so much.

“What makes it even harder to come to terms with is how quickly his condition deteriorated. It was awful to see how quickly mesothelioma affected him and we feel because of this we didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to him properly.

“We know that nothing can ever bring him back but we are now determined to ensure we get the answers he wanted regarding this awful disease.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who might be able to provide some information on these businesses as it could really make a big difference. Any help and support would be massively appreciated.”

Anyone with information which may assist this case is asked to contact Iain Shoolbred at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office on 0121 214 5446 or email iain.shoolbred@irwinmitchell.com