Stuart Kemp was brought up in a poor family. After he finished at school, Stuart did some warehouse work and other odd jobs. He married his wife, Sheila, in 1971. In 1976 he joined Greater Manchester Police. In the late 80's he was involved in a car accident and had to retire from the police because of ill health. Stuart became a church-based schools worker and led a small church on a very deprived council estate.