West Yorkshire family in search of answers after losing father to asbestos cancer

Wilfred Colin Cammack, known as Colin, from Huddersfield was diagnosed with cancer in February 2020.

Following his diagnosis, he instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and whether his work could have been to blame for his asbestos exposure.

Colin died three months after his 80th birthday on 5 November 2020, and an inquest concluded he died as the result of an industrial disease.

Colin’s family, including daughter Donna, are now continuing with the investigation alongside his legal team to identify whether he could have come into contact with asbestos during his working life. They are making a plea to former employees of the companies that he worked for to come forward with any information to help their investigation.

In particular, details are being sought on the working conditions Colin faced whilst working at Wakefield-based companies, Drake and Warters and Harlow and Milner in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Colin later worked for Ronald Smith and Associates who were based in Blackpool in the 1980s and 1990s before returning to Wakefield to work for Clearbray Shopfitters in the 1990s and early 2000s.

At the time of his death, Colin was living with his daughter Donna and he had another daughter Maxine, as well as four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Donna said: “It’s been nearly two years since we lost Dad and it’s still incredibly difficult to accept he’s no longer here.

“Before his illness, he enjoyed travelling, watching cowboy films and spending time with his family. He lived independently and kept his house spotless and was very handy around the home. After his diagnosis his health went downhill so quickly and it was horrible to know there was nothing we could do.

“When we first found out Dad’s cancer was as a result of asbestos exposure, we were devastated. We’re now determined to find out where it could have happened so we can honour his memory and get the answers he began looking for before he died.

Anyone with information that may assist with this case is asked to contact Nicola Handley on 0113 220 6233 or by e-mail at [email protected].