Call For Old Colleagues In Ipswich And Hadleigh To Come Forward And Help With Battle For Justice

The family of a former agricultural engineer from Cambridgeshire who died of asbestos-related cancer last year have joined with legal experts to call on his old colleagues to come forward and help them gain justice regarding his death.

Basil Gibbons, from Somersham, died aged 89 in April, 2017 of mesothelioma – a form of lung cancer commonly associated with exposure to asbestos materials.

Following his death, his loved ones instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate how he came to develop the illness and the legal experts are now working to create a clearer picture of his work history.

As part of this, they are keen to know about the working conditions that Basil would have faced while working for Mann Egerton Employment in Ipswich between 1942 and 1943, and 1965 to 1989 as well as during his time at Whitlock Employment in Hadleigh from 1950 to 1960.

Samantha Shaw, the Solicitor and asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office who is representing Basil’s family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Our clients remain understandably devastated by their loss but are determined to ensure that they secure justice in Basil’s memory.

“His story is yet another which highlights how the tragic consequences of asbestos exposure often become clear many years after the initial contact with the material is thought to have taken place.

“We would be grateful to anyone who may have information regarding the presence of asbestos at these two employers, as such detail could go some way towards us securing justice for this family.” Samantha Shaw - Senior Associate

Basil was employed as an agricultural engineer during his time at Mann Egerton Employment in the 1940s. 

The role involved him working on a range of large machinery, including tractors, and he then used those skills in a similar capacity at Whitlock Employment.

Basil’s son, Keith Gibbons, said: “Dad was always very fit and he was a church warden for around 30 years prior to his illness. 

“It was very difficult to see the impact that mesothelioma had on him. His allotment was his pride and joy, but sadly after his diagnosis he was unable to maintain it as he would have liked.

“While nothing will ever bring him back, we are keen to get justice in his memory. If anyone is able to help with information or detail regarding asbestos at these two sites it would be hugely appreciated.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Samantha Shaw at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office on 01223 791 815 or email Samantha.Shaw@IrwinMitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in mesothelioma cases.