Lawyers And Family Seek Information On Father-Of-Four’s Working Conditions

The daughter of a former boiler stoker is appealing to her dad’s old workmates for information following his death from asbestos-related disease.

Thomas (known as Tom) Perry, from Coventry was diagnosed with asbestosis, a lung condition where the inside of the lung becomes scarred. The condition is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers instructed to investigate

Following Tom’s death aged 83, his daughter Dawn Perry instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her dad’s illness and if it was linked to his work history.

Dawn has now joined with the legal team to appeal to any of Tom’s former workmates to come forward with information on the working conditions he would have faced.

They are keen to trace anyone who remembers working with Tom during his time as a boiler stoker with General Electric Co Ltd (GEC) Coventry branch in 1961/62 and 1969/70 and Associated Electrical Industries Limited (AEI) Coventry branch from 1961/62 to 1969/70.

Maria Roberts is the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting the family.

Expert Opinion

“Tom’s family are understandably still coming to terms with his death and what it means for the future.

“The family remain devastated by his loss and still have many unanswered questions concerning his exposure to asbestos.

“Nothing can bring Tom back to his family, but we’re determined to provide the answers the family is looking for. If any of Tom’s old workmates could come forward with information, it would be really appreciated by Dawn and her brothers.

Tom was a well-known and respected member of the community and any information could make all the difference in providing the answers the family is looking for.” Maria Roberts

Asbestosis: Tom’s story

In 1961, Tom went to work for General Electric Co Ltd as a boiler stoker. Based in Coventry he remained with the firm on and off until 1970.

Tom went onto work for Associated Electrical Industries Ltd (AEI) based in Coventry in between his work with the General Electric Co Ltd from 1963 to 1969 performing the same role as a boiler stoker.

Tom’s family believe he spent all of his working day (particularly at AEI) in the boiler room and Tom recalled it was a very dusty environment with what he believed was asbestos lagging on the pipework. Tom’s role involved filling the furnaces with coal to heat the buildings and his family remember him being covered in dust and dirt on his return home.

Born in 1939, Tom was married to Dawn who later passed away at only 47 years old. The couple had 4 children together, Steven 62, Dawn 60, Simon 58 (passed away 2023), Stewart 57. They have many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A local man active in supporting the community

Tom and Dawn bought their first house in Wood End, Coventry where they brought up their family. Tom was very active within the local community and served as treasurer of the Wood End Community Association.

Tom and his wife Dawn were committed to improving the council estate and supporting his local community, they appeared in the local press on a number of occasions as part of their campaigning on behalf of the estate and its people.

The couple later moved to Earlsdon, Coventry and built their own successful landscape gardening business. They developed landscapes for Coventry City council amongst many others.

They also went on to have their own antique and second hand shop. Their last venture together was to move to Cliftonville, Kent and owned a guest house when their children had all grown up.

Tom decided to move back to Coventry when his wife passed away to be close to his family.

Tom continued to have a love for gardening and had his allotment where he grew fruit and vegetables. He had great pleasure sharing his crops with his family. He became a member of a rambling club in Coventry, they would meet weekends and they would also take holidays abroad together as a group.

He loved travelling and took trips to Kent to spend time with friends he had when he lived there. He also enjoyed spending time with his great grandchildren especially days out. He enjoyed watching sports especially snooker and football.

Tom had always enjoyed good health until he began to suffer with progressive deterioration of breathlessness over a number of years. After consulting with his GP, Tom was sent for various tests and was ultimately diagnosed with asbestosis.

Tom’s condition continued to deteriorate and he died surrounded by his family in December 2022 aged 83.

Dawn pays tribute to a dad committed to looking after his family and the local community

Dawn said: “Dad was an amazing man, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who didn’t deserve to have his life cut short by this horrible disease.

“Dad was committed to looking after his family but he also cared deeply about the local community and the people. He did everything he could to improve the area when he lived in Wood End and ensure that the concerns of local people were listened to. He was proud to serve as the treasurer of the Wood End Community Association and committed much of his time to helping people where he could.

“When dad was first given the diagnosis we were all in shock, but later he did say he had worked in an environment where asbestos was present. He said it was used for so much back then.

“In his usual style, dad was keen to find out more and pursue the truth about his asbestos exposure but the disease meant he didn’t get the chance to do it. He spoke out for so many people that it feels right that we do the same for dad. We as a family promised him we would continue to raise awareness of the ill health implications of asbestos exposure

“If anyone he worked with or was aware of the conditions he worked in could come forward, we’d be so grateful. I’m sure dad would appreciate it and it’s one last thing we can do for a special man who gave so much of himself to his family and the local community.

Anyone with information that could help Dawn and the family is asked to contact Maria Roberts at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 203 4025 or email Maria at: Maria.Roberts@IrwinMitchell.com

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