Dad’s work colleagues were dying in their 40s

A HUSBAND and wife who found love working on the wards at Dewsbury and District Hospital are set to retire.

It is the end of an era for Steve and Lesley Royal.

The couple, who met through colleagues, have worked side by side for more than 25 years.

Steve started his career at Dewsbury hospital in September 1989 as a driver, transporting supplies and medical equipment between local services, before joining the stores team as a stores clerk, where he has worked ever since.

Lesley began working at the hospital three years later in February 1992 as a general secretary in pathology.

She moved on three years later to become a full -time medical secretary in the haematology department.

The couple were introduced by workmates and went for their very first date on a lunch break.

They have now been happily married for more than 23 years.

Steve said: “We’ve both really enjoyed our time at Dewsbury hospital.

“I’m really going to miss the stores team.

“We’ve always pulled together and got through every change and challenge. They are a great team and I will miss the camaraderie.”

Lesley added: “I would recommend working here to anyone. I’ve enjoyed my career and worked with some extremely dedicated colleagues across all departments over the years.”

Lesley and Steve are kicking off their retirement as they mean to go on, heading off on a Mediterranean cruise in May and are looking forward to another holiday abroad after that.

They also plan to spend more time with their family, gardening, reading and taking country walks with their son’s dog Ernie.

Martin Barkley, chief executive at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Steve and Lesley have given loyal and dedicated service for many years and will be missed very much by their friends and colleagues across the trust.

“We would like to wish them both well for a long and happy retirement and thank them for their contribution to Dewsbury and District Hospital.” TODAY if you work with asbestos you’ll be given an arsenal of protective gear and a long health and safety briefing before you’re allowed anywhere near it.

But when Frank Graham was working with the deadly material in the 1930s and 40s, health and safety in the factory was virtually non-existent.

Frank, who also worked with dangerous chemicals in the 1940s and 50s, was lucky.

Despite repeated exposure to lethal substances he lived to 88.

But his colleagues weren’t so lucky, many of them dying in their 40s and 50s.

Between 1938 and 1940 Frank worked at Cocking Mill, Old Leeds Road, making gaskets for motor vehicles from asbestos.

Asbestos was once used as an insulating material until people released it caused mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer.

Frank’s son Douglas said: “They used to get big blocks of asbestos and they would put them in these big machines that flattened the asbestos.

“Then there were 20 women sat at a long table pressing gaskets with their hands. They were covered in this white dust.

“They wouldn’t have had any protective equipment in those days.

“That was how it was in those days; there was no health and safety.”

Douglas, 72, added: “You hear of women who have actually died from washing asbestos from their husband’s clothes.”

Frank even saw the factory foreman hit and killed by a wagon when its brakes failed while delivering asbestos to the premises.

And when Frank and his colleagues demanded extra pay for working in hazardous conditions they were sacked on the spot, Douglas said.

Frank served in the army during World War Two, setting up anti-aircraft guns, before taking a job at ICI, Leeds Road, making explosives.

The pay was good and Frank, who died in 2008, enjoyed the varied social life that ICI put on for its employees.

But again dangerous chemicals were involved.

Douglas, from Berry Brow, said: “When he came home from work he had green stuff on his ears, blue over his face and stuff all over his hands.

“His colleagues were dying from bladder cancer. Thank God he got out of there.”

Frank moved onto David Brown engineers in Meltham working as a mechanist before working for WC Holmes, at Turnbridge, which made fans and furnaces.

Douglas said: “Holmes was a good place to work with good conditions. My dad wanted to work and he worked hard.”