While bearded 70s Physics master, Dick Abbotts, is forever destined to be the first name on any alphabetical list of St Mary’s staff members, a boy from St Paul’s Cray has that honour when it comes to pupils.

James Absalom first walked through the doors of St Mary’s College on Main Road in 1943. So it’s James who finds himself at the top of a new list of names which begins today on InOmnibusLabora.

It is an attempt (and arguably a crazy one) to list every boy who attended the College and the Grammar School during their combined 55-year lifetime.

It will build gradually. Official records from the 20s and 30s no longer appear to be in existence so this may become an exercise in word of mouth.

More reliable records become available in the 40s onwards although official admissions records are barred from public view, unless it is your own entry.

Incidentally, if anyone is uncomfortable with being listed then simply let me know and I will immediately remove your name.

The picture above shows Wiktor Zbrzezniak who, unless anyone can advise otherwise, is the last name alphabetically on this. Wiktor was our prefect when we joined in 1977. He is also, arguably, the finest chess player the school ever produced. He went on to be a GP and has been an enthusiastic contributor to this project.

I hope the list sparks a few memories. I might do one for staff at some point when Dick Abbotts can take his rightful place at the top of the list. Not sure who will be the ‘Wiktor Zbrzezniak’ of the staff list. I can’t think beyond Roy White right now!

You’ll find the list under the ‘Discover More’ tab at the top under ‘Old Boys’

• Stop press: Patrick Calnan (1974) has just advised that French teacher Susan Worthington, who was at St Mary’s between 1973 and 1979, comes after Roy White alphabetically. Thanks Patrick!