Shawn’s parents were from England, with his father working as a Mine Surveyor in the Kinross Gold Mines of South Africa. His mother, previously a Booking Clerk for Townsend Thoresen, followed his father abroad, and Shawn was born in 1980 in South Africa. In 1985, after losing many friends in mining accidents and due to concerns over the country’s political climate, Shawn’s father decided to return to the UK, and the family settled in Kent. Although Shawn was too young to experience the mines, he vividly remembers his father describing how unbearably hot it was inside them.
Shawn spent much of his childhood at a paper mill in Dover, where his maternal grandfather worked. At school, he was an avid footballer and a ‘Sixer’ in his Cub Scout pack. Always eager to be self-sufficient, Shawn secured his first job as a paper delivery boy at the age of 11. He later became a regular member of the Air Cadets, with ambitions of joining the RAF Police. Although he worked hard in school and achieved several GCSEs, his height prevented him from fulfilling his RAF Police aspirations. However, his strong sense of public service led him to enlist in the Infantry. He began basic training just a week before his 17th birthday but decided after six months that military life was not for him.
Upon returning home, Shawn took on various jobs to gain experience and eventually found work in security at Canary Wharf, though he didn’t feel settled. In 2003, he took a bold step and moved to Spain to pursue an opportunity in construction and restoration. However, after 18 months of limited work and depleting his savings, he returned to the UK. Shawn’s fortunes improved when he secured a job as a professional driver for the Home Office. Through hard work and determination, he progressed to his current role as a Housing Officer with Kent County Council.
Shawn joined Freemasonry in 2013 and is now a member of lodges in both the Province of East Kent and the Province of Surrey. In just 11 years, he has served as Worshipful Master three times and is also a member of several other Masonic Orders. He currently holds the position of Assistant Director of Ceremonies in St George of Abadan Lodge No. 6058.