The grieving widow of a man who worked at Mersey shipyards is searching for answers after his sudden death from asbestos-related cancer.
Peter McKernan, who was originally from Norris Green, first went to work for the Cammell Laird Shipbuilding Company in Birkenhead in 1950, straight from leaving school at the age of 15. He started as an apprentice fitter after the firm had recently completed HMS Ark Royal, and he remained with the firm until 1956.
Later he worked at the English Electric Company in Liverpool as a diesel-engine fitter, from June 1958 to September 1961.
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In later life, he and his wife Tess moved to Newmarket in Suffolk. Peter had been in good health until he started to develop symptoms of mesothelioma in 2021. The disease is a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.
Peter underwent a number of tests and scans, following which he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Sadly, Peter's condition deteriorated very rapidly and he died just weeks later, on October 3, 2021, at the age of 86.
Away from work, Peter was a talented amateur boxer in his early 20s and followed many other sports including rugby and football. Following his retirement, Peter enjoyed gardening, reading, regular days out and travelling on holiday with his wife, by whom he is survived, along with son Tim and daughter Colette.
Peter died before he could provide detailed evidence commenting upon his working conditions, but an inquest into his death concluded that his development of mesothelioma was an industrial disease arising from his likely exposure to asbestos dust at work.
Following his death, his widow Teresa (Tess), now aged 82, has begun a search for answers in her husband's memory and has instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness, to see if his exposure to asbestos was linked to his work history.
Teresa said: "Peter had been in good health prior to his illness, so it was such a shock to be given such a terrible diagnosis. We knew it was serious but the mesothelioma progressed so rapidly
"Peter was a wonderful husband and father and the house is so quiet now without him here. Nothing can ever be the same again and the future seems so uncertain. This illness robbed us of our final years together and he didn't deserve to face this at the end of his life."
She is now appealing to his former colleagues and friends to come forward to provide details on the working conditions he faced during his career as a fitter. She added: "If any of his former workmates or others who worked at the shipyards could come forward with information, it would really mean a lot to me. I'm so keen to shed some light on what happened to Peter and would be grateful for anything people can tell us."
Tess and the legal team are keen to trace anyone who worked with Peter at Cammell Laird from August 1950 to August 1956, and the English Electric Company from June 1958 to September 1961. Ships often contained large quantities of asbestos for insulation purposes at the time and prior to his death, Peter told his wife and family he believed he had come into contact with the substance.
Natalia Rushworth-White, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Tess and the family, said: "The use of asbestos in the shipbuiliding industry is well documented with Peter's death being yet another reminder of the terrible legacy the hazardous material has left behind.
"Tess and the family are still coming to terms with their loss and understandably still have a number of questions regarding his death. What's particularly hard for them to try and come to terms with is the speed at which Peter's condition deteriorated.
"Nothing can bring Peter back, but if anyone who remembers Peter or worked for the same companies could come forward, it would mean a lot to Teresa and the family. Any detail could prove vital and could help give the family some closure after such a terrible experience."
The family made the appeal ahead of the annual Action Mesothelioma Day on July 1. This brings together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand mesothelioma and find a cure. The day aims to ensure the public are also aware of the terrible impact mesothelioma can have on sufferers and their carers.
Anyone with information that might help Teresa and the family is asked to contact Natalia Rushworth-White at Irwin Mitchell on 01223 791810 or email natalia.rushworthwhite@irwinmitchell.com
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