Information Sought On Working Conditions Following Electrician And Weapon Engineer’s Death From Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

The daughter of a former electrical and weapons engineer from Rainham, Kent, is appealing for help from his former workmates following her Dad’s death from asbestos-related cancer.

John King, 81, died from lung cancer that was associated with his previous exposure to asbestos, which happened decades prior to his passing.

Following John’s death, his daughter, Elizabeth King, 53, instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her late Dad’s illness and if it was linked to his work history.

Elizabeth and her legal team are now appealing for anyone who may have worked with John at Chatham Dockyard in Kent, from 1955 to 1982 to come forward.

Expert Opinion

“Elizabeth is still struggling to come to terms with her Dad’s death and the shock of the diagnosis that led to it.

“This is another case that highlights the terrible legacy of asbestos and the long shadow it continues to cast over so many people’s lives. Elizabeth has many questions over what led to John’s death and we are determined to help her find the answer’s she’s looking for.

“If anyone who remembers John or worked at Chatham Dockyard as an electrical or weapons engineer during the same period could come forward, it would be of huge help to the investigation. Any detail, however small might be the vital piece of information we need and the key to giving Elizabeth the answers she needs.” Paul Ramsay - Solicitor, Scottish Qualified

John worked at HM Chatham Dockyard for nearly 30 years, from 1955 until shortly before the yard closed in 1984. Having started as an apprentice electrician, John subsequently worked his way up, becoming a full electrician and then a weapons engineer.

From 1968-74, John was working as a diagnostician in the tuning group, installing and testing weapons in various navy ships. These were mostly the famous Leander class frigates, such as HMS Dido, Diomede, Phoebe and many others.

HMS Dido was one of the ships that took part in the fleet review to mark The Queen’s coronation in 1953 and like many frigates of the period, was believed to contain asbestos, which was used for insulation of pipework and its fire resistant qualities.

John’s wife Beryl, had died 13 months prior, and when John started to develop symptoms, he was supported by his daughter. Following tests, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2020 and died on 19 January 2021. He received a course of immunotherapy, an innovative new treatment used more frequently for asbestos related disease sufferers. He initially responded well to his treatment, but sadly John succumbed to his illness.

Away from work, John was a committed family man and in addition to spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoyed gardening, and was a keen vegetable grower. He was a committed family man - enjoying spending his time on holidays with his family. Once he had retired, John and Beryl went on touring holidays to America and Canada. They both enjoyed escaping for some winter sun to Spain. They were both doting grandparents who enjoyed spending time looking after Elizabeth’s son - Oliver - when he was younger. John was also a member of the National Trust - frequently visiting the various houses and gardens throughout the UK.

Elizabeth said: “Losing Mum a few years’ ago was a huge blow to take and now losing Dad to this terrible disease has just been all the harder to accept. The whole family are devastated by the news and are still coming to terms with it.

“Dad was always there for us, hardworking, kind and caring. He didn’t deserve to face the end of his life in this way. It’s all been such a shock and there’s still not a day that passes that I don’t think of him.

“Nothing can make up for losing Dad but we can find out how he came to develop this illness in his memory. If anyone can help us, it would mean so much to me and the family and give us all some closure following what has been a testing time for the whole family.”

Anyone who has information which could help Elizabeth is asked to contact Paul Ramsay at Irwin Mitchell on 0203 0403 489, or at paul.ramsay@irwinmitchell.com

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