THE "devastated" daughter of a Redditch factory worker is appealing to her dad’s former colleagues for help in discovering how he came into contact with the asbestos that claimed his life.

Cedric Horrobin was 81 when he died from asbestos-related lung cancer on December 29, 2019.

His daughter Sarah Horrobin, aged 53, has now joined a legal team in asking for Cedric’s former work colleagues to come forward with information on the working conditions he would have faced while employed at the Alcad factory in Redditch.

He worked there as a battery assembler and operative for all his working life, from 1968 to 1992, and the company underwent several changes of name and ownership during his time there.

Alcad factory in Redditch, where Cedric (front row, first on the right) worked from 1968 to 1992

Alcad factory in Redditch, where Cedric (front row, first on the right) worked from 1968 to 1992

In 1947, Nife and Britannia merged to form Alkaline Batteries Limited, which operated from Union Street in Redditch. Cedric worked for them from 1968 and following the company name change to Chloride Alcad in 1973. Cedric was still employed there in 1983, when the firm was sold to Marathon Manufacturing Inc. and became Marathon Alcad.

The company was sold to a French firm in 1987 and operated as Alcad Limited, before closing for good in 1993. Cedric had left a year earlier, in 1992.

Born in Birmingham, Cedric was a widower following the death of his wife, Jillian May Horrobin. The couple had three children together and two grandchildren.

Following their retirement, Cedric and Jillian moved to East Yorkshire in the early 2000’s to live near their daughter, Sarah.

Cedric was diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer in February 2019 and died less than a year later.

Cedric Horrobin

Cedric Horrobin

His daughter Sarah said: “Losing Dad to asbestos-related cancer was a devastating experience. He’d always enjoyed good health prior to the diagnosis and it was such a shock to see him deteriorate so quickly.

“It was so upsetting to see the effect of the illness in his final days and we didn’t have a lot of opportunity to discuss how he may have encountered asbestos.

“If any of Dad’s workmates could come forward and help us, it would mean a lot to me and help us get the answers he felt he deserved about how his life was cut short in this way.”

Redditch Advertiser: Alcad factory photograph taken in 1972 where Cedric (front row, third from left) worked from 1968 to 1992Alcad factory photograph taken in 1972 where Cedric (front row, third from left) worked from 1968 to 1992

Lucy Andrews, the asbestos-related disease expert at legal firm Irwin Mitchell who is supporting the family, said: “Cedric’s death is yet another reminder of the terrible consequences families can be left to face because of asbestos. While sadly nothing can make up for what’s happened, if any of Cedric’s former colleagues could come forward with information, it may make all the difference.

"Any detail, no matter how small could prove significant to the investigation and providing Sarah and the rest of the family with the answers and closure they deserve.”

Anyone with information that may assist with this case is asked to contact Lucy Andrews on 0113 3946 782 or Lucy.Andrews@IrwinMitchell.com.