Mesothelioma UK would like to add its voice to the tributes that have poured in for Bob Dickie, the former chairman of the Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG), who passed away recently.
Bob, a prominent figure in the campaign against asbestos, has been described by friends, colleagues and fellow campaigners as ‘a really lovely man’ who was always looking out for the working class.
Bob’s son-in-law, Kenny, described him as ‘a family man, first and foremost’. “But he was always looking out for others and dedicated 25 years of his life to helping anyone who needed it.”
Bob was extremely knowledgeable on local industrial history, using his fount of information to lead campaigns and fight for justice with CAG, even earning recognition by the Scottish Parliament for his achievements and dedication.
Saving Clydebank shipbuilding
Bob worked at John Brown’s Shipyard in Clydebank, named as the asbestos capital of Europe, where he saw first-hand the dangers of the killer dust and sadly lost some of his co-workers to asbestos-related diseases later in life.
A staunch trade unionist, he was a key player in the now famous 1971 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders ‘work-in’, helping to lead 13,000 workers to occupy the shipyards – despite bosses attempts to close the last four of the remaining five shipyards in the area. During this six-month long ‘work-in’, the yards continued to turn out ships, forcing a massive U-turn from Ted Heath’s Conservative Government and saving shipbuilding on the Clyde at the time.
Bob’s brother, Jackie, also worked with him at the shipyards. “Sadly, Jackie contracted mesothelioma and passed away,” Kenny said. “But Bob dedicated himself to helping his brother as much he could. He retired in his 60s and was still very active.”
Working with CAG
Bob joined CAG in 2001 and was a founder activist/campaign leader, becoming chairman for the group shortly after – a post he held for 20 years before retiring from the role in 2020. Working tirelessly to campaign for truth and justice for anyone affected by asbestos, he was heavily involved in raising awareness about the effects of the dust to anyone who may have been exposed to it, and helped patients and their families to cope with any asbestos-related diagnoses.
After Clydebank received the undesirable title of ‘Asbestos Capital of Europe’, Bob, along with CAG, proposed that there should be a memorial in Clydebank. The memorial was unveiled in May 2015 and dedicated to known and unknown victims of asbestos-related diseases, both locally and around the globe.
Theresa Jones, Chairperson at CAG, said: “It has been both a privilege and an honour to have known and worked with Bob. Bob was a humble, hardworking man who, with others, had a vision for improving the lot of his fellow working man.
“He was a powerhouse in the fight for truth and justice for asbestos victims. So many owe so much to this modest, humble man for what he achieved on their behalf. Bob may be gone but will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on.”
Margaret Waddell, who took over from Bob as Chairperson of CAG in 2020, wrote a tribute to him upon his retirement. She said: “He really is a lovely man who has been very welcoming and supportive. His extensive memory knows no bounds. He has a great sense of fun and a keen sense of humour.
“Bob is a very generous man having given up much of his retirement to volunteer at Clydebank Asbestos Group. Indeed, Bob Dickie is synonymous with the Group.”
Bob’s work with CAG earned the charity the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2012, recognising the dedication and steadfast commitment of its volunteers.
Driving legislative change
In 2007, Bob proposed petition PE1006 Mesothelioma (Prescribing) on behalf of CAG to the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee after Alimta, a form of chemotherapy, was refused to mesothelioma patients on cost grounds. Bob also gave evidence to the committee himself, gaining support from leading NHS oncologists, noted Scottish politicians and legal experts. His campaign was hugely successful and led to Alimta being prescribed for mesothelioma patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland.
Bob also played a major role in the Pleural Plaques Campaign in 2007, which his son-in-law Kenny describes as his greatest achievement. When the House of Lords ruled that pleural plaques would no longer be compensated, this was a major blow for asbestos patients throughout the UK. Fergus Ewing, the MSP leading a change in legislation for Scotland, asked to be briefed on the matter by Bob Dickie and Tommy Gorman, lead researcher from the University of Stirling’s Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group. This resulted in contact between senior civil servants and CAG regarding the right to compensation for people who had contracted pleural plaques after being exposed to asbestos at work.
Founding Merseyside support group
Bob also helped to establish the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group (MAVSG), which has just celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
John Flanagan, Support Officer for MAVSG, said: “We wanted to pay tribute to the late Bob Dickie of the Glasgow group, who assisted us in our formation all those years ago together with the late Eddie Loyden who was MP for Garston in 1993 [and] helped our formation.”
Bob’s unwavering determination, commitment and unending efforts were acknowledged and in 2012, he was named as Clydebank Citizen of the Year 2012 by the Council.
Speaking of his achievements, Clydebank’s MSP, Marie McNair described a ‘kind and generous man – someone who believe in looking out for our working class.’ “I was extremely sad to hear of Bob’s passing, and my thoughts continue to be with his family, friends and everyone in the Clydebank Asbestos Group, who knew him so well.
“He will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on through the work of the Group.”
