'Kind and loving' retired Staffordshire power station worker died from asbestos-related illness prompting family appeal
A retired power station worker from Burntwood has died from a condition linked to exposure to asbestos resulting in a search for surviving work colleagues.
Retired engineer John Holmes, who previously lived in Walsall, died aged 80, after being diagnosed with lung cancer and asbestosis. His family said he worked at various power stations and they are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked with him at Scottish-based engineering firm Parsons Peebles Ltd between 1970 and 1972.
His widow Hazel, aged 78, from Burntwood, said: “John was a kind and loving husband and dad. He worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He was very active for his age, a keen lifelong sportsman and, until the age of 40, rugby was his main sport.
"After that he took up squash and running for a while. Walking was another main interest of his and he was a member of four local walking groups.
"As his health declined he resorted to crown green bowls. He had many interests including reading, arts and crafts, antiques as well as line dancing. He enjoyed travelling and visited many parts of the world during retirement.
“No one deserved to suffer the way John did. He was always so strong and independent, and to see him in pain and struggling was incredibly difficult for all of us. Once he had his diagnosis confirmed everything moved so quickly. We focused on spending as much time as possible together that we never really discussed where John would have been exposed to asbestos.
“We just want to understand how this happened and would be so grateful to anyone who can help us.”
Following the 80-year-old’s death Hazel instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he came into contact with the hazardous material and the legal team are now appealing for information from those who worked with him over the years to help provide information.
During early 1970s, the father-of-one and granddad-of-two, lodged in Retford, in Nottinghamshire, and was employed as an erection engineer working at various power stations across the UK. These included the former Cottam Power Stations near Retford, and the former Trawsfynydd Power Station in Gwynedd, Wales.
Irwin Mitchell specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer Brigita Trink-McCleland said: “John’s family remain devastated by his death which is another reminder of the terrible legacy asbestos has created. Sadly, many of those affected by asbestos only begin to show symptoms decades after their exposure.
“While nothing can make up for the family’s suffering, we’re determined to help Hazel find the answers she deserves. Any information about John’s working conditions could prove vital to our investigation.”
The couple met at a New Year’s Eve party and got married in 1974. The family lived in Walsall for 29 years before John and Hazel moved to Burntwood in 2017.
They had one daughter, Charlotte, aged 46.
John, who enjoyed arts and crafts, reading, walking and travelling, began experiencing health issues in late 2021, when he developed a persistent cough. By June 2023 he reported increased breathlessness and a decline in his ability to exercise. Following tests, he received his diagnosis in November 2023. He died on 27 December, 2023.
Anyone with information about the working conditions at Parsons Peebles Ltd or who remembers working with John is asked to contact email Brigita.Trink@IrwinMitchell.com or by telephone 0121 203 5243.
