Looking at the list of St Mary’s boys, there are plenty of instances of three or more brothers from the same family. Names such as Gorman, Pelter, Waites, Battison, Boyle, Linnett, Wells, Retout, McElhinney and many more. Yet none of these can compete with the record of the talented Hawes family from Sidcup.

No less than six Hawes boys attended St Mary’s between 1968 and 1981. The boys, all products of Our Lady of the Rosary Primary in Blackfen, were first represented by Greg. He was followed by Kevin in 1970, then David in 1971. Tim, who tragically died in January 2006, started in 1974, Richard in 1976 and then Matt in 1981.

At the helm of this group is their mother, the warm-hearted Mary Hawes, for many years a stalwart of the Governing Board. Indeed, she was the first person in St Mary’s history to be a Parent/Governor. Born Mary McCarthy, she grew up near County Gate at the point where Sidcup meets New Eltham. Her older brother Brian attended St Mary’s College, as did Chris Wells, whose sons Damien, Declan and Duncan began at St Mary’s in 1970, 1971 and 1973 respectively. Mary now lives next door to the Wells boys’ mother, who is also called Mary.

It seems apt that this most St Mary’s of families should represent the H section of the A to Z directory which has just been updated. Please let me know of any errors or additions.