Asbestos link to teacher’s death

Bernard Dawson

The family of a former teacher Bernard Dawson, who died of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, believe he inhaled the toxic dust in secondary schools in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Mr Dawson spent more than 50 years teaching maths and science, including at Heywood Secondary School, but after he retired he was diagnosed with the incurable cancer mesothelioma.

The father-of-five and grandfather-of-seven’s condition deteriorated and he died, aged 81, in a hospice near his home in Stoke on 6 August.

An inquest at North Staffordshire Coroners’ Court ruled that Mr Dawson, who was born and raised in Bolton, died from industrial disease.

His widow Maureen (59) said: “Bernard was not just my husband, he was my soulmate and I just want to know if anything more could have been done to save him.

“He was very health conscious. He never smoked, he rarely drank and he liked to keep fit. Almost overnight he turned into a decrepit old man who could no longer keep up with the boys. He would cough so much he couldn’t catch his breath, it racked his whole body.

“He was so tired and weak and he was scared, he didn’t want to leave me and the boys.

“It’s during his time teaching that I believe Bernard was exposed and that was years ago. I just find it totally unacceptable that we are still putting people’s lives at risk.”

The former marine commando started teaching in 1957 and worked at schools including Heywood Secondary School, Bolton’s Smithills, Flixton Girls’ School, St Michael’s Church of England Secondary School in Chorley and finally, in 1980, at Royton and Crompton Secondary School.

He recalled using asbestos mats for Bunsen burners in one of the schools he worked at and described “dusty work” store cupboards in some others.

He took early retirement from Royton and Crompton in 1984.

His wife Maureen has now instructed industrial disease experts at law firm Slater and Gordon to help her find answers about her husband’s death.

Her lawyer, Kevin Johnson, said: “The smallest detail could be vital so if anyone remembers working with him in places where they may have been exposed to asbestos, we’d urge them to get in touch.”

Anyone with details should contact Mr Johnson:

kevin.johnson@slatergordon.co.uk
0151 3539930

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that most often starts in the covering of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can also start in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). It's usually linked to asbestos exposure.

Rochdale was once home to the largest asbestos factory in the world, Turner Brothers Asbestos (TBA).