A Life of Service, Resilience, and Brotherhood
Born in the 1950s, Alan Campkin has recently celebrated his 70th birthday and, this June, he and his wife Jeanette mark an incredible milestone—50 years of marriage. Together they have raised three children—one son and two daughters—and are proud grandparents to six grandchildren. Their son, Paul, has also followed in Alan’s Masonic footsteps.
Alan’s early working life was a journey of discovery, with a few short-term roles before settling into a position at Dartford Paper Mill. After three years, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) at Littlebrook Power Station in Dartford. His career progressed through several stations before he finally settled at Kingsnorth Power Station, where he remained for over 20 years. When the site operations were outsourced, Alan stayed on for a time before moving to Kemsley Paper Mill, joining the fire and security department. He remained there until his retirement in 2020.
Retirement didn’t suit Alan for long. After a few months, he found himself missing the structure and purpose of work and took on a part-time role at a local funeral directors—a position that keeps him active and involved in the community.
School was a challenge for Alan. Often labelled as lazy and unlikely to succeed, those words left a lasting impact, fostering insecurities that followed him into his working life. However, Alan’s determination and resilience have defined his true story. In the mid-1970s, he joined the Territorial Army—first in an armoured reconnaissance squadron, and later with the Royal Engineers bomb disposal unit, achieving rank in both. After moving to Hoo, he joined the local part-time Kent Fire and Rescue Station, where he served for 36 years and rose through the ranks to become Station Commander.
A pivotal moment came during a training course with the fire service when an instructor, recognising his struggles despite passing, encouraged Alan to seek support. He was diagnosed with dyslexia—an explanation that finally lifted the weight of self-doubt he had carried for decades.
Alan joined Freemasonry in 1990, though initially hesitated to progress due to his insecurities. But through open conversations with younger Brethren who offered understanding and support, he began to thrive. He has since served as Master of one Lodge twice, Master of another Lodge once, and is currently progressing through the chairs in Chapter, Knights Templar, Mark, and several other Masonic orders. He also serves as Secretary of two Craft Lodges.
Not bad for someone once told they’d never amount to anything.
Alan’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, self-belief, and support from others can lead us to places we never imagined. His contributions to Freemasonry and his wider community continue to inspire those around him.