A Blakeney man’s service in the Royal Navy led to his death from asbestos-related cancer, a coroner heard yesterday (Dec 16).
Michael Berry, of All Saints rd, Blakeney, who died on December 6th at the age of 74, had worked on the removal of asbestos from a number of Naval vessels during his life as a seaman and submariner, the Gloucester inquest was told.
When his terminal cancer was diagnosed at the end of 2019 he was awarded a £140,000 lump sum by the Ministry of Defence in recognition that the condition was due to his Naval work, the assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson was told.
The coroner recorded a conclusion that Mr Berry died of industrial disease on 6th Dec 2021 at his home address.
Mr Berry’s son Dan found him dead that morning when he took him a cup of tea, said the coroner.
Mr Wooderson added “Prior to his diagnoses with mesothelima he was pretty fit and well. It seems likely he had exposure to asbestos when working on submarines in the 1970s.
“After his Naval service he worked as a publican in various parts of the country.
“He was a widower and he served in the Royal Navy from 1962 to 1976 including a period on the Ark Royal and then on submarines.
“He was working on submarines when they were being refitted. “
Conclusion: Industrial Disease.