‘We miss him every day’: Labourer’s family seeks answers after cancer death
HAPPIER TIMES: Allan Smith with wife Patricia and son Christopher
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
The family of a former Hull labourer are appealing to his ex-workmates for help following his death from asbestos-related cancer.
Allan Smith died just 12 days after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously. He was 72.
Following his, Allan’s wife Patricia, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her husband’s illness and whether it could be linked to his work history. An inquest concluded that the father-of-four and grandfather-of-nine died as a result of industrial disease.
Patricia, 70, is now appealing for Allan’s former colleagues to come forward with information about the working conditions he faced so she can establish where her husband may have been exposed to the asbestos that claimed his life. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with information about Hull construction firms Frederick Singleton & Sons and GKN Keller, where Allan worked.
LOVING COUPLE: Allan and Patricia
Lucy Andrews, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Patricia, said: “Allan’s death is another tragic reminder of the legacy asbestos has created. What’s particularly distressing for Patricia and her family is how quickly Allan’s condition deteriorated after his diagnosis.
“While nothing can make up for their loss, we’re determined to provide them with the answers they deserve.
“If any of Allan’s former workmates could come forward with information about the conditions he faced, it would mean a lot to the family and could provide them with the closure they’re hoping for.”
Allan worked as a labourer at both companies. He spent two years at Frederick Singleton & Sons, which is no longer trading, from 1970. His role included cutting sheets, believed to have contained asbestos, for fire doors.
INDUSTRIAL DISEASE: Allan Smith
Allan was employed by GKN Keller from 1980 to 1987. He was often based on construction sites which he told his family were dusty. Materials suspected to have contained asbestos were often disturbed, he said.
Allan began to feel unwell in March 2023, experiencing a tight chest and dizziness. He attended his GP, believing he had a chest infection. His doctor referred him to A&E on the same day for an X-ray and CT scan.
Allan was diagnosed with mesothelioma on June 23, 2023. His condition rapidly deteriorated and he died on July 5, 2023.
Patricia said: “Allan was a loving husband, dad, and granddad to our family. He was always there for us and especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
“He was very hands-on and would do anything to help his family, whether it was fixing things around the house, gardening, or just being there when we needed him. Our family isn’t the same without Allan.
PROUD FATHER: Allan and son Christopher
“The hardest thing to come to terms with is how quickly his condition deteriorated. We hadn’t even come to terms with his diagnosis when he was taken from us. Because of how quickly things developed we feel like we didn’t get to say goodbye to Allan properly as a family.
“Allan was still relatively young, and I feel we’ve been robbed of all the plans we had for our retirement.
“We miss him every day and just want answers about how he was exposed to asbestos. If any of his former colleagues remember working with him could come forward it would mean a lot to us.”
Allan also leaves behind daughters Annette Williams and Sharon Smith, sons Andrew Smith and Christopher Smith, and grandchildren Jamie, Amy, Jack, Lauren, Liam, Danial, Nathan, Kieran, Coby, and Olivia.
Anyone with information about the working conditions Allan faced can contact Lucy Andrews at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 394 6782 or by email at Lucy.andrews@irwinmitchell.com.