Former car factory worker and bus driver appeals for witnesses after diagnosis with incurable asbestos-related cancer

Frederick Troth began working for the Austin Motor Company in Longbridge, Birmingham, in 1957. He initially worked in the trim shop inside the Trentham building where his job involved punching holes out of the door trims. He then moved to the sewing shop, where he put together the interior door casings.

After a number of years, Frederick moved to the tracks department where he put batteries into the new cars, before working in the marshalling department where he unloaded pallets and moved car parts onto trolleys. 

Frederick believes that the areas where he worked contained extensive pipework lagged with asbestos, and it is likely that this was disturbed by other workers in the vicinity, potentially creating dust. 

In 1966, Frederick left the Austin Motor Company and started working for the Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company, which later changed its name to Midland Red. He spent one year as a bus conductor, before becoming a bus driver. 

From 1966 to 1970, Frederick was based at the garage in the Strand, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove. He visited the garage daily and regularly walked past the area where the mechanics worked on the buses. It is believed that during this time, he is likely to have been exposed to asbestos dust from the brake linings. 

Frederick then moved to a garage on Church Road, Redditch, where he continued to work as a bus driver. He would frequently walk past the mechanics working on the buses at this garage as well, potentially exposing him to dust in a similar manner. 

He retired in 2003, and moved with his wife to live in Devon. 

In the autumn of 2024, Frederick started becoming increasingly breathless and underwent various medical investigations. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2024 following a biopsy. 

Frederick is currently undergoing immunotherapy treatment at Torbay Hospital and has had a substantial amount of fluid drained from his lungs. 

He has asked law firm Leigh Day to investigate his exposure to asbestos during his time working for the Austin Motor Company and the Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company/Midland Red. 

Andrew Stinchcombe, partner in the Leigh Day asbestos claims team, said: 

“Mesothelioma typically takes many decades to develop after exposure to asbestos dust. It remains an incurable disease, and the UK has an awful legacy left by the prolific use of asbestos in the last century. 

“We would especially like to speak to anybody who knew Frederick or knows of the presence and use of asbestos at the Austin Motor Company and the Birmingham Omnibus/Midland Red bus company. Any former work colleagues who can shed light on the work that he did and the areas where he specialised would be extremely helpful. Frederick would greatly appreciate any information that can be provided.” 

Please contact Andrew Stinchcombe at astinchcombe@leighday.co.uk if you can provide any relevant information.