Please find on these pages obituaries of Old Paulines who left the school between 2010-19
Alexander D C Bennett (2007-12), 1993-2019
Alexander died tragically, celebrating the end of his final exams at Loughborough University. He was due to join the Formula 1 ‘Racing Point’ design team in June. Alexander developed an early passion for cars and motorsport. With his elder brother Hugh, he joined a local kart racing club, winning a number of trophies by the time he was 12. But in his teens, his focus turned to music. At 16, he founded a rock band with fellow students at St Paul’s, ‘The Third Wave.’ He began to dream of a career in music, but the band broke up when he left School to go to Exeter University to study Geography.
While he continued to perform in other bands, he passed his driving test shortly after his 17th birthday. His interest in cars was rekindled. Deciding against Geography as a career path, he returned to St Paul’s to sit Maths A level before studying Automotive Engineering at Loughborough University. He purchased an elderly Nissan 200SX and promptly installed a large turbocharger and roll cage to take the car on track days. Alex most enjoyed the practical side of engineering, spending his third-year industrial placement with the Formula 1 team Toro Rosso, where his creative and problem-solving skills came to the fore. After a gap year, he returned to Loughborough in 2018 to finish his degree. He secured a job in the aerodynamics group at the Racing Point Formula 1 team, where he was described as an outstanding candidate.
Alex had a diverse group of friends from St Paul’s, and a partner, Jon. He was close to his three siblings. At family parties he would lead the musical entertainment. But the confidence and enjoyment he found in taking risks ultimately proved to be his Achilles heel. He is sorely missed by all his friends and his family.
Mark Bennett, Father
Rahoul Biswas-Hawkes (2010-15), 1996 – 2016
At St Paul’s School Rahoul excelled academically in both the arts and sciences, developing a particular love of the Classics, which he went on to study at University College, London.
Simon May observed that “When Rahoul came to join St. Paul’s School as a John Colet Scholar in 2010 we gained a rare prize indeed: a young man of great intellectual ability, much curiosity about the world in which he found himself, and, I don’t know whether as a new boy he would have realised this, someone who would have found favour with the great ancient Athenian Pericles who said that public involvement was everything. A man who just sat there minding his own business had in fact no business there at all.” (Head of Classics valedictory address)
Rahoul was an immensely kind, considerate and sensitive person with an innate sense of fairness and concern for others, reflected in the numerous voluntary services he undertook. These included serving hot meals to the homeless on London’s Embankment and volunteering on a project in Romania seeking to break down prejudice against the Roma people.
Rahoul enjoyed participating in the wider life of the school including playing violin, piano, choir and writing for school publications. As President of the Magic Society he mesmerised many with his card magic.
Academic success and social participation carried over into Rahoul’s university life. The radio show he curated and presented reflected his eclectic musical tastes and encyclopedic knowledge.
Rahoul was loved by many, including his extended family, his school and university friends. Rahoul was the most wonderful son and brother that we could ever wish for. We were blessed to have shared his short but beautiful life.
Written by: Jonathan Hawkes, Deepa Biswas-Hawkes and Debjani Biswas-Hawkes