Support family of retired British Gas engineer who died from asbestos cancer

Albert Anthony Stonham, who was known as Tony to his family, friends and workmates, died aged 84 on 14 October 2021, just two days after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Tony’s family believe that he came into contact with the lethal asbestos that causes the fatal cancer during his working life as a gas engineer in South East London and Kent.

His widow, Judith Stonham, who lives in Sittingbourne, is appealing to those who worked alongside Tony to help her family piece together a picture of Tony’s working life, to help with a legal claim.

Tony was employed by British Gas, at first as part of South Eastern Gas Board (SEGAS) from 1957 until he retired in 1993. He worked at the Old Kent Road in London from 1957 to 1976 as a distribution engineer and gas fitter, replacing old gas mains and installing new pipes and fittings which it is believed involved Tony coming into significant contact with asbestos.

Tony carried out that work during the major project to convert the gas supply to natural gas, working in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. He was promoted to area supervisor in 1970 and was then transferred to the SEGAS site in Sittingbourne where he worked as a supervisor from 1976 to 1993 when he retired.

Judith is represented by specialist personal injury lawyer Jess Pittman at law firm Leigh Day. Jess is appealing for information from people who may have worked with Tony at British Gas or SEGAS, at the Old Kent Road site in London or Sittingbourne and can describe the use of asbestos materials.  

If anyone has information, please contact Jess Pittman at jpittman@leighday.co.uk