Eric David Pope
Born on 13th April 1957 in Essex, Eric’s family later moved to Hoo, where he attended the Hundred of Hoo School, leaving in 1973 with eight CSEs in various subjects. In September of that year, Eric commenced an apprenticeship with BP Oil at their refinery on the Isle of Grain, aligning him with the founding members of St George of Abadan Lodge No. 6058, where he now serves as Junior Deacon. Like many of the lodge’s early members, Eric is one of ‘The Oil Men’. He performed well as an apprentice, earning an HNC in Fabrication and Welding with an endorsement in Non-Destructive Testing.
During his apprenticeship, Eric was given permission to join the Fire Brigade as a Retained Fireman at Hoo Fire Station, beginning on 1st December 1976. His first fire call was to a large blaze at Kingsnorth Power Station. By 1980, he had been promoted to Leading Fireman. Following the closure of the oil refinery, Eric joined the London Fire Brigade on 5th October 1981. After completing his training, he was posted to Paddington Fire Station, ‘A21’. About six years later, he transferred to Kent Fire Brigade on promotion and began working as a Driving Instructor at the Kent Fire Brigade Training Centre. Having already qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor a few years earlier, he also ran his own driving school part-time. In addition, Eric earned his HGV Class 1 licence and became an HGV driving instructor. After 30 years of service, he retired in October 2011. Since then, he has worked part-time as a Funeral Operative.
Eric joined Freemasonry in 2003 and became Master of St George of Abadan Lodge No. 6058 in 2018. He is also a member of another lodge and several other Masonic Orders. In 2024, Eric was promoted to Provincial Grand Rank.
Eric David Pope
Born on 13th April 1957 in Essex, Eric’s family later moved to Hoo, where he attended the Hundred of Hoo School, leaving in 1973 with eight CSEs in various subjects. In September of that year, Eric commenced an apprenticeship with BP Oil at their refinery on the Isle of Grain, aligning him with the founding members of St George of Abadan Lodge No. 6058, where he now serves as Junior Deacon. Like many of the lodge’s early members, Eric is one of ‘The Oil Men’. He performed well as an apprentice, earning an HNC in Fabrication and Welding with an endorsement in Non-Destructive Testing.
During his apprenticeship, Eric was given permission to join the Fire Brigade as a Retained Fireman at Hoo Fire Station, beginning on 1st December 1976. His first fire call was to a large blaze at Kingsnorth Power Station. By 1980, he had been promoted to Leading Fireman. Following the closure of the oil refinery, Eric joined the London Fire Brigade on 5th October 1981. After completing his training, he was posted to Paddington Fire Station, ‘A21’. About six years later, he transferred to Kent Fire Brigade on promotion and began working as a Driving Instructor at the Kent Fire Brigade Training Centre. Having already qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor a few years earlier, he also ran his own driving school part-time. In addition, Eric earned his HGV Class 1 licence and became an HGV driving instructor. After 30 years of service, he retired in October 2011. Since then, he has worked part-time as a Funeral Operative.
Eric joined Freemasonry in 2003 and became Master of St George of Abadan Lodge No. 6058 in 2018. He is also a member of another lodge and several other Masonic Orders. In 2024, Eric was promoted to Provincial Grand Rank.