Cancer victim ‘believed he was exposed to asbestos at aircraft factory’

APPEAL: John Rule, who died in November 2024, a month after being diagnosed with mesothelioma

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

The family of a former aircraft factory apprentice who died a month after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer would like to hear from his former colleagues.

John Rule, of Anlaby, began working for aircraft parts manufacturer Hawker Siddeley Aviation in Brough after leaving school aged 15 in 1964.

He worked as a shop boy for about six months, during which he delivered materials and tools to staff on the factory floor, took lunch orders, and swept the premises – including the work benches used by joiners.

John later told his legal team at law firm Leigh Day that while he was working at Hawker Siddeley there was overhead lagged piping on the premises and said the main factory was always dusty. He believed he was exposed to asbestos during his time at Hawker Siddeley Aviation.

After leaving Hawker Siddeley Aviation, John worked in various customer-facing and office-based roles and also served in the Royal Marines. He also set up his own window fitting and property companies.

‘BELIEVED HE WAS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS’: John Rule

John began experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma in April 2024, but was only formally diagnosed in October that year and died a month later, aged 75.  

The Leigh Day asbestos team would like to hear from anyone who may have worked with John at Hawker Siddeley Aviation and may have information about the factory environment at the time.

Claire Spearpoint, partner at Leigh Day, said: “Even a single, brief exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing serious health conditions like mesothelioma and can be fatal.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked with John at Hawker Siddeley Aviation or thinks that they may have information about the factory environment when he worked there. Any relevant information would be greatly appreciated by John’s family.” 

• Anyone who thinks they have information that may help John’s family can contact Claire Spearpoint on 0207 650 1391 or by emailing cspearpoint@leighday.co.uk.