Man Living With Mesothelioma Seeking Details On Cambridgeshire Timber Company

A former joiner living with asbestos–related cancer is making an appeal to his former workmates for information to help determine how he came into contact with the hazardous substance.

Peter Keen, originally from London, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June last year.  A terminal cancer of the lining of the lungs, mesothelioma is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following his diagnosis, Peter, who now lives in Australia, instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether he could have been exposed to asbestos during his year of employment in the UK.

Peter, 83, and his legal team are now appealing for information to help establish how he came into contact with asbestos.  In particular they would like to hear from anyone who worked at the Potton Timber site on Eltisley Road site in Great Gransden, which is where Peter was based between 1974 and 1976, and can remember the working conditions.

Potton Timber manufactured prefabricated houses and had a number of sites.  Peter was responsible for assembling frames and fixing cladding planks to them.  He recalled the process created dust, telling his legal team “there was dust on the workshop floors” and “I had dust on my hands when handling the planks.”

Peter said there were two saws in this area of the factory, which was also a “dusty place to work.” He added that he would “shovel up the dust” to put it in the bin and his clothes would also have dust on them.

Peter left Potton Timber in 1975 when he emigrated to Australia.

Expert Opinion

“Peter was understandably shocked and devastated to learn he has mesothelioma and he is still coming to terms with his diagnosis last year and what it means for the future.

Sadly, mesothelioma is a terminal illness and we continue to see people diagnosed with the disease many years after their initial exposure to asbestos occurred.

If anyone remembers working with Peter or recalls the conditions at Potton Timber, we would be grateful if they could come forward.

Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital in our investigation.”
Katrina London - Senior Associate Solicitor

Peter began to feel unwell in August 2019, with a cold and cough he couldn’t shake off.  His cough worsened and he was referred for a series of tests including scans and biopsies.  He also had fluid drained from his lungs.

In June 2020, Peter was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Two months later he commenced chemotherapy.

Peter lives with his wife Marion, 83.  The couple have two children, Steven, 57, and Andrew, 53, and four grandchildren.

Peter said: “When I first developed a cough, I went to see my GP who thought it was just a virus so I wasn’t too worried.  But when I did not recover I knew that it was something more serious, but I never once thought it would be mesothelioma.

“It was a huge shock to be told that my work could be to blame and I would really appreciate it if anyone could come forward with information that could help determine how I became ill. While there is nothing I can do to stop this happening to me, I need to know what caused it and whether others could be affected.

“I remember a few of the names at Potton’s including Des Titmus, who worked in the office, and also Joe Harris, and John and Peter Faulcher.  I also worked with a friend I knew as Alf. “

Anyone with information that could assist with this case is asked to contact Katrina London on (0161 838 7262) or by e-mail at Katrina.london@irwinmitchell.com.

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