A RETIRED shipbuilder from Berkeley, who was exposed to asbestos throughout his 40 year career, died from an industrial disease, a coroner ruled.

Wynston Armstrong, of Hill Crest, Berkeley, worked for shipbuilders John Harker Ltd at Sharpness Docks off-and-on from 1946 until he retired in 1986, Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court heard last Thursday.

In a statement, written when he knew he was terminally ill, the 86-year-old said: “I commenced an apprenticeship with the firm and worked for them intermittently until I retired.

“I was responsible for maintaining wooden sections of vessels, cutting asbestos sheets to size.

“When asbestos lagging was removed, I was exposed to the dust and my overalls would be covered in asbestos.

“There were no precautions and I also worked in underground tunnels, where I was also exposed to asbestos.”

Assistant coroner Caroline Saunders said Mr Armstrong was diagnosed with mesothelioma after he had breathing problems. Mr Armstrong died at home on January 26 and the assistant coroner concluded the death was due to an industrial disease.

Assistant coroner Caroline Saunders said: “Mr Armstrong began having breathing problems in 2013 and went to see his GP.

“He was admitted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for 10 days and then Bristol Royal Infirmary.

“He was diagnosed with mesothelioma.”

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer of the lung for which the only known cause is asbestos exposure.

A consultant at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital said that a chest X-ray showed signs of exposure to asbestos and a CT scan revealed a malignant tumour in the lungs and bronchial pneumonia.

Mr Armstrong died at his home on January 26 and the assistant coroner concluded that death was due to an industrial disease.