Hebburn grandad diagnosed with asbestosis appealing to find former work colleagues

William Ernest Bain, known as Billy Bain, was diagnosed with asbestosis almost two years ago and struggles with his breathing everyday.

Daughter Judith said: “It’s the breathlessness that gets to him. He used to love going for long walks but now he gets breathless even getting up and down the stairs.

“He was diagnosed one-and-a-half to two years ago now but he was struggling with his breathing before then it must be three years.

“We’d really appreciate it if any former colleagues would come forward.”

Now Mr Bain and specialist asbestos solicitors Corries of York are trying to find former work colleagues who can describe the work conditions on the sites where he once worked.

The 74-year-old, who grew up in Hebburn worked for Wailes Dove Bitumastic in the 1960s – working with bitumen roofing materials poured into drums which it is believed contained asbestos.

He worked throughout the local area on many different buildings.

From 1970 until his retirement he was employed by Reyrolles initially as part of the maintenance team but for most of his career worked in stores.

Solicitors, who Mr Bain and his family have joined forces with, say he believed the buildings he worked in were ‘riddled with asbestos’.

His solicitor Charlie Bradley said: “Mr Bain has worked hard all of his life and is greatly affected by asbestos disease. I am sure there are many others in the area who are in the same position.

“We are looking to make a claim for him and need as much evidence as we can to secure proper justice for him and his family.

“Given that Billy Bain worked so long at the Reyrolle site I am sure there must be former workmates or union staff who remember him and can give us the help we need to get justice. We understand others who worked at the sites have suffered asbestos disease and ask anyone with information to get in touch with me straight away.”

Anyone with information about Wailes Dove Bitumastic or Reyrolles is asked to call Charlie Bradley at Corries Solicitors on 0800 083 7839 or 01904 527473 or email him at [email protected]

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