Family appeal for information following sudden mesothelioma death of former factory apprentice  

John Rule of Anlaby, Hull, began experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma in April 2024, but was only formally diagnosed in October 2024. He died one month later in November 2024, aged 75. 

As soon as he left school at age 15 in 1964, John started working for aircraft parts manufacturer Hawker Siddeley Aviation in Brough, East Yorkshire, where he worked as a shop boy for approximately six months.

During his time at the manufacturing company, he delivered materials and tools to staff on the factory floor, took lunch orders, and swept the premises – including the work benches used by joiners.

John told his legal team at law firm Leigh Day that while he was working at Hawker Siddeley there was overhead lagged piping on the premises and said that the main factory was always dusty. He believed he was exposed to asbestos during his time at Hawker Siddeley Aviation. 

After leaving Hawker Siddeley Aviation, John worked in various customer facing and office-based roles and served in the Royal Marines. He also set up his own window fitting and property companies.

The Leigh Day asbestos team would like to hear from anyone who may have worked with John at Hawker Siddeley Aviation and may have information the factory environment at the time he worked there.

Leigh Day partner Claire Spearpoint said: 

“Even a single, brief exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing serious health conditions like mesothelioma and can be fatal. 

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked with John at Hawker Siddeley Aviation or thinks that they may have information about the factory environment when he worked there. Any relevant information would be greatly appreciated by John’s family.”  

If you think you have information that may help John’s family, please contact Claire Spearpoint on 0207 650 1391 or by emailing cspearpoint@leighday.co.uk.