Family of former South London factory floor worker appeals for information following asbestos-related death

Philip Bevis worked for Samuel Jones & Co Ltd in Camberwell, South London, from 1948 to 1970. He was a factory floor worker for the first five years of his employment before becoming a driver.

Philip, who grew up in Peckham before moving to Kent in the mid-1960s, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, early in 2019 and died on 19 March 2019.

Philip’s family think he was exposed to asbestos during the first five years of his employment at Samuel Jones & Co, working as a factory floor worker, when he was 15 to 20 years old.  His children believe his job involved sweeping floors, collecting offcuts, cleaning machines and assisting anyone who needed help. 

Samuel Jones & Co was a large manufacturer in the area who made gummed papers and other paper products.

One of Philip’s children said:

“Mesothelioma caused our Dad much pain and suffering. We are looking to find out a bit more of how he may have been exposed to asbestos.”

Claire Spearpoint, asbestos claims solicitor said: 

“We do not know how Philip was exposed to asbestos but we believe it is likely there were lagged pipes due to the processes going on and the age of the factory, but this has not been confirmed.

“We would like to speak with anyone who worked at Samuel Jones & Co Ltd in the 1950s who recalls the conditions of the factory and the sorts of jobs a factory floor worker like Philip may have been undertaking.”

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you have any information that might assist in the first instance please telephone 020 7650 1200 and ask to speak to Claire Spearpoint or alternatively e-mail cspearpoint@leighday.co.uk.