June Hancock honored with Blue Plaque
June 1st, 2023
June Hancock, who campaigned tirelessly for victims of asbestos exposure has been commemorated with a blue plaque near her former home in Leeds.
June grew up near the JW Roberts asbestos factory in Armley, was one of many local residents affected by the deadly dust it released into the community. In 1994, she brought a groundbreaking legal case against the factory, becoming the first person without occupational exposure to successfully sue for damages related to asbestos. Her case paved the way for many others to seek justice.
The plaque was unveiled by Leeds Civic Society outside her former residence on Salisbury View. It bears her powerful words: No matter how small you are, you can fight and no matter how big you are, you can lose.
Mrs. Hancock lost her mother to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs strongly linked to asbestos, in 1982. She was later diagnosed with the disease herself in 1994, prompting her legal battle against JW Roberts.
She passed away from mesothelioma in 1997. That same year, a charity was established in her name – the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund – which continues to raise money for research into the disease’s diagnosis and treatment.
Martin Hamilton, Director of Leeds Civic Trust, spoke at the unveiling: “I know what a cruel disease mesothelioma is, having lost my father to the condition last year. June's bravery and persistence in standing up for herself and for others affected is truly inspirational. It is an honour to commemorate her in this way.”
Rachel Reeves, Labour MP for Leeds West, also attended the ceremony. “In my maiden speech to Parliament in 2010, I was proud to raise the issue of mesothelioma and the Armley asbestos tragedy,” she said. “June’s story is a powerful reminder of how one determined woman brought justice to so many.”
