Widow's plea to trace workmates of retired Oswestry teacher

William Jones, 76, from Oswestry, died in March last year, just 12 months after being diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. He had been the carer for his disabled wife, Gwynion, who is now dependent on their two children for support.

In July last year a verdict of industrial disease was recorded at Mr Jones' inquest.

Now specialist asbestos-injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are helping his widow to find out where he contracted the cancer.

Mrs Hughes said: "William was always so independent, but in the last few months he became extremely weak and was in a great deal of pain. It was terrible seeing him like that and knowing there was very little I could do to ease his suffering.

"He was my main carer and did everything that needed to be done around the house. My husband didn't deserve to suffer like this and the fact that his death was as a result of simply going to work to earn a living is a terrible injustice.

"William was a very religious man and he was not the sort of person to hold a grudge but he was determined to seek justice for what happened to him and I owe it to his memory to try to try to finish the legal action that he started."

Lawyer Kim Barrett said:"As we delved into his employment history it became clear that asbestos was present in the buildings he had worked in at West Midlands Gas Board and St Martin's Secondary School in Oswestry."

Anyone who worked at either West Midlands Gas Board's Mond Works in Tipton from 1952 to 1955 or at St Martin's Secondary School, now known as Rhyn Park School, from 1970 to 1996 or has information about the presence of asbestos and working practices at these premises, should contact Kim Barrett at Irwin Mitchell on 0870 1500 100 or e-mail [email protected]