A PEMBROKE Dock man died of the industrial disease mesothelioma after coming in to contact with asbestos while repairing sea targets at the town’s dockyards, an inquest heard last week.

Kenneth Sealey, 81, of 6 Sunderland Avenue, Pembroke Dock died on August 19 at his home.

At the November 23 inquest, Coroner’s officer for Dyfed-Powys Police Jeremy Davies said Cowbridge-born Mr Sealey had previously worked as a coal miner in Gilfach and had served in both the Royal Welch Regiment, later serving at Llanion barracks, and in the Royal Army Service Corps, leaving the service in 1963.

Mr Sealey later worked at Pembroke Dock’s naval dockyard, later, in 1970, moving to the MoD dockyard depot, repairing sea targets.

“At this point he came in to contact with asbestos when stripping targets,” Mr Davies said.

Mr Sealey had been in reasonable health other than an ongoing diabetes condition and high blood pressure, the inquest heard.

In January 2016, Mr Sealey suffered from serious toothache caused by his wisdom teeth, and, while tests were carried out, a mark was discovered on his lung.

By December of last year it was confirmed Mr Sealey was suffering from the industrial disease mesothelioma.

Mr Sealey’s condition deteriorated in 2017, losing four stone in weight, and was bedbound for the last few weeks of his life.

Mr Sealey, described at the inquest as a very independent man, had opted for a do not resuscitate order; his family remaining at his bedside on August 19 until he passed away.

A statement by GP Melville Jones said Mr Sealey had died as a result of contracting mesothelioma, likely contracted as a result of his former occupation.

Coroner Mark Layton, recording a conclusion of death by industrial disease, said: “Mr Kenneth Sealey, through contact with asbestos has developed the industrial disease mesothelioma that has caused his death.”