David Henry Elias

David Henry Elias (7 December 1882 – 13 March 1953) was a British railway administrator who was responsible for the operation of national railways in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and the Federated Malay States.

Early life Elias was born on 7 December 1882 in London, the son of David Elias.

Career Elias began his career, aged 17, working on the Great Western Railway in England. In 1902, he went to South Africa where he served for 20 years with South African Railways. During the First World War (1914–1918) he served first in German South West Africa, and later in France with the South African Infantry Brigade where he won the Military Cross.

After leaving South African Railways in 1922, he transferred to Kenya and Ugandan Railways where he remained until 1925, and then served from 1925 to 1931 with Nigerian Railways.

In 1931, he went to Malaya as Deputy Manager, Federated Malay States Railways when there was a need for experience and expertise on the commercial aspects of railway administration rather than in construction and engineering as had been previously the case. On the retirement of John Strachan in 1933, an engineer by profession, he replaced him as General Manager, Federated Malay States Railways.