Loved Ones Ask Lawyers To Help Them Secure Answers Following Family Man’s Mesothelioma Death

The partner of a former labourer from Sheffield is appealing for help from her partner’s former workmates following his death from asbestos-related cancer.

John Anthony Robins, known as ‘Tony’, from Handsworth died after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Asbestos-related disease lawyers instructed to investigate

Following the 85-year-old’s death, his partner, Sheila Barnsley, 88, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he developed the illness and if it could be linked to his work history in the building trade.

Sheila has now joined with her legal team to appeal for Tony’s former workmates to come forward with any information they may have on his working conditions.

They are keen to trace anyone who remembers working with Tony at building firm W M Drabble and Sons Ltd based in Mosborough, between about 1962 to 1975; the firm has now ceased trading.

Simone Hardy is the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Sheila and the family:

Expert Opinion

“Sheila and the family are understandably still coming to terms with Tony’s death and what this means for the future.

“Sheila and Tony were a devoted couple and while we can’t bring Tony back we’re determined to help them uncover the truth surrounding his exposure to asbestos.

“If any of Tony’s former workmates could come forward with their recollections of his working life, it would be a great comfort to the family and could prove vital in providing Sheila with the answers she deserves surrounding her partner’s death.” Simone Hardy

Mesothelioma: Tony’s story

For 13 years from 1962 to 1975, Tony worked as a labourer for the building firm W M Drabble and Sons Limited. Based in Mosborough, the firm was involved in refurbishing old properties and newbuild work.

Prior to his death, Tony described converting fuel systems, repair work and removing large fireplaces, tasks that he believed exposed him to asbestos.  Tony also recalled working at a local hospital, where he was employed removing asbestos sheets from the boiler room walls and taking asbestos lagging insulation off the boiler.

As part of his work, Tony said he often worked alongside heating engineers and plumbers, converting heating systems from oil to solid fuel.

Tony and Sheila had been together for 47 years and have twins Tony and Tonya.  Tony was a loving partner and father and loved spending time with the whole family. Tony and Sheila enjoyed spending time visiting Cornwall and regularly exploring the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coastline together.

In later years, Tony also acted as a carer for Sheila and continued to pursue his love of gardening in his free time.

Tony had been in good health until he started to experience breathlessness in January 2023 and after visiting his GP and various tests, his mesothelioma diagnosis was confirmed during a visit to the hospital on 10 June, 2023.  Tony died on 9 January, 2024, with his family by his side.

Sheila pays tribute to a good man who loved his family and the outdoors

Sheila said: “This last year without Tony has been so difficult to face. It’s hard to believe we lost him in January and since then the whole family has been forced to confront the reality of our lives without him.

“Tony was a good man who loved his family and the outdoors. He was never happier than when spending time with the children, working in the garden or enjoying the Cornish coastline and our trips together across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“Life now just isn’t the same without Tony. His loss has left a hole in all our lives that nothing can ever fill. He was the one person we all relied on so much and its hard to express just how much his passing has cost us as a family.

“Tony has always worked so hard and he didn’t deserve to have his final years with us cut short by this terrible illness. He told me he’d worked with asbestos in the past.

“If anyone who remembers working with Tony at WM Drabble could come forward, it would mean so much to me. I know it’s a long time ago now but it would be a comfort to hear from Tony’s colleagues and any information they can give us could really help us understand what happened to Tony.”

Anyone with information that could help Sheila is asked to contact Simone Hardy at Irwin Mitchell on Tel: 0114 274 4321 or email simone.hardy@irwinmitchell.com

Find out more about our expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases at the dedicated section on our website. Alternatively, to speak to an expert, contact us or call 0808 271 9815.

Workers’ Memorial Day is on 28 April and this year’s theme is Occupational health and safety: A fundamental right at work.