Peter looks to track down ex-colleagues
A MAN suffering from the asbestos-related illness mesothelioma hopes former colleagues in the building trade could shed light on why he became ill.
Peter Downing, aged 68, a life-long non-smoker from Newport Pagnell, is now in constant pain, short of breath and unable to walk long distances.
He is visited weekly by a community nurse.
Mr Downing, who is married with four children, believes he developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos.
He was a 16-year old apprentice carpenter in 1955 with the firm Tranfield & Co, then of Buckingham Road, Bletchley.
Through his solicitors, Corries of York, he wants ex-workmates to come forward.
Dominic Collingwood of Corries' asbestos team said much of Mr Downing's work involved removing asbestos using hand tools from the roofs of shops.
Mr Downing who at that time lived in Simpson Road, Bletchley.
He left aged 21 for National Service in the RAF. When he returned Tranfield & Co had shut and he found work with Arthur Bowler and Septimus Fairbrother who had also worked there.
During the next 40 years Mr Downing worked for several other businesses and on the construction of Milton Keynes.
He retired in 2006 and was diagnosed in August of that year after becoming increasingly tired, debilitated and short of breath. Mr Downing has had his lungs drained of fluid.
He said: "As I have never smoked the mesothelioma has come as a dreadful shock to my wife and I. I feel sure it must be linked to my employment at Tranfield & Co where I recall being exposed to asbestos.
"I very much want to trace any of my former colleagues there from between 1955 and 1960, particularly Arthur or Septimus who can throw more light on conditions at the company and our work with asbestos," he said.
Mr Collingwood said there was little doubt Mr Downing is suffering today after being exposed to asbestos while he was apprenticed.
"He is from a generation blighted by deadly asbestos just for helping to rebuild Britain during the hard years after the Second World War and we would very much like to hear from anyone who can assist in this case," he said.
Contact Corries on 01904 527463 or email dominic.collingwood@corries.co.uk
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