Victor Shatford Worked At Manfield Shoe Factory In Northampton As A Machinist For more than 30 Years

The niece of a shoemaker who died from asbestos-related cancer is appealing to his former colleagues to help determine how he came to be exposed to the deadly fibres.

Victor Shatford, from Northampton, worked for Manfield and Sons Ltd on Wellingborough Road in the town from approximately 1962 to 1997 heating leather, stretching and tacking.

His niece instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his time at the shoe manufacturers after it was revealed following his death on March 16, 2016 that he had been suffering with mesothelioma. He was only 68 when he died.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable asbestos related cancer that can take decades to develop after exposure to asbestos dust, usually in the workplace but also increasingly via exposure in public buildings, such as schools. 

Victor’s niece, Deborah, from Northampton is now appealing to former colleagues of her uncle’s to come forward with any information about working conditions at Manfield shoe factory, where she believes he came into contact with the dust.

Deborah said: “Victor’s death was very sudden and is something we are still all trying to come to terms with – made more difficult after finding out his death was as a result of asbestos exposure as a younger man.

“I would really like to hear from anyone who worked with my uncle, or who was at the factory at the same time he was, who can shed some light on the presence of asbestos. I just want answers.

“I’d ask anyone who thinks they might know how he came into contact with asbestos, or remembers anything about asbestos on the premises, to get in touch with Irwin Mitchell.”

After leaving school at 15, Victor worked as an apprentice mechanic for six months before starting work at Manfield Shoe Factory in 1962.  He remained there until 1996/97 when the factory closed after which he worked at Lotus Shoes in Gambrel Road and then Crockett & Jones in Perry Street, in 1999 until he retired in September 2015. 

At the time of his death, Victor lived alone with his dog. He married wife Barbara on September 13, 1969 but she died aged just 49 in 1997. The couple had no children but were close to Deborah and her brother Kevin.

Victor began to lose weight and feel fatigued shortly after his retirement. He went to his GP in January 2016 and from there was referred to hospital for tests.  He had a biopsy but passed away before receiving a diagnosis.  He was found at home by a friend who had come to walk his dog.

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer which causes a significant amount of pain and suffering for victims, and employers should have been well aware of the dangers posed by asbestos to their staff.

“Those who worked alongside Victor may have important information on the presence of asbestos at the factory. They may also have details of any measures, if any, taken to reduce potential exposure to the harmful dust.

“Sadly, as Victor’s illness was not known until after his death, Deborah was unable to ask him about asbestos on the premises at Manfield and Sons so it is imperative we speak to any of his former colleagues to help find those answers.

“We hope former colleagues will come forward with the crucial information we need to get these answers for Victor’s family.” Kim Barrett - Solicitor

Anyone who recalls working with Victor at Manfield and Sons Ltd on Wellingborough Road in Northampton, should contact Kim Barratt at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5211or email Kim.Barratt@IrwinMitchell.com

Read more about the the work of Irwin Mitchell's Asbestos-Related Disease Team here.