26 Jul 2021 Written By Matthew Eastley

John ‘Buck’ Hennessy 1958 to 1963

It’s been a pleasure to learn more about the sights and sounds of St Mary’s of yesteryear and someone able to paint a particularly vivid picture is John ‘Buck’ Hennessy who has supplied a good number of anecdotes about the school in the early Grammar years.

John started at St Mary’s in September 1958, the second full intake to arrive following the move to the new site opposite Queen Mary’s Hospital, and immediately met lifelong friends Mick O’Hara and Frank Begley.

He recalls with great affection English and French lessons with Adrian Jarvis who John describes as ‘inspirational,’ Geography with Ron Hesketh and History with Fr McKeown.

In fact he says he enjoyed every subject except Maths.

The introduction of rugby union to St Mary’s in the early ’60s was greatly appreciated by John, who has since enjoyed a lifelong love of the game.

After leaving the school in 1963, John did a Business Studies course and played in a couple of invitation matches for St Mary’s old boys.

John was among a number of St Mary’s boys who regularly attended a Rhythm and Blues Club at The Black Prince pub in Bexley where they enjoyed top R&B artists like Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, The Yardbirds as well as American Legends  like Sonny Boy Williamson:

“Turning down the offer of a Degree course at Southampton followed by a year at Harvard Business School, I joined the world of work at the Woolwich Equitable Head Office,” says John. “This was the best decision of my life as I met my wife, Susan, who has put up with me for some 52 years and counting. As a member of the Internal Audit team I travelled the length of the UK and began a lifelong relationship with hotels.”

It was on one such trip, on a flight from Dublin to London, that he encountered Fr McKeown shuffling down the aisle:

“To my surprise he recognised me immediately and the passenger next to me offered to swap seats,” recalls John. “Talk turned to St Mary’s and, of course, to rugby with the upshot being that I paid for four rounds of Irish whiskey and we both toddled off the plane a lot happier than when we got on. What are the chances?”

After leaving the Woolwich to earn more money in the City, John married Susan (below) with Mick O’ Hara his best man and Frank Begley one of the few guests.

Next John joined a fledgling company in the construction industry and the Hennessy family, which now included nine-month old son, Anthony, moved to Leeds where second son Michael arrived a year later:

“I embarked on an Honours Degree in Psychology with the OU just for a bit of added pressure,” jokes John. “The company became very successful and was taken over by Rio Tinto Zinc and I found myself in the palatial surrounds of No. 6 St James Square as part of their take over and acquisition team. Irish immigrant finally makes good!!”

“I was then ‘head hunted’ to join another company starting up in Essex. We moved back south and again the company was a resounding success.

“Eventually, following more post graduate study, I spent the last part of my career working with disadvantaged young people in the East End of London – a very rewarding and enjoyable time.”

After retiring at 60, John and Susan moved to Sandwich in Kent where they live in a 15th century cottage in the medieval heart of the Cinque Port. John takes a very active part in town life having been past Chairman of the Sandwich Society and the current Chairman of the Local History Society. He also enjoys writing poetry and recently printed a limited edition of his work under the title ‘Wild Geese’.

John pictured with wife Susan

“I am an unofficial adviser to my beloved Ireland,” says John, “shouting coaching tips at the TV screen throughout the Six Nations each year. I still meet up with Mick O’Hara and Frank Begley (below) whenever possible and have had a life full of fun and hedonism.

“What did I learn at St Mary’s?  First, to always ask questions which is the basis, I believe, of any good education and secondly to treat others fairly and, like any good front row forward, to take no nonsense from anybody.”