Eustace Missenden

Sir Eustace James Missenden (3 March 1886 – 30 January 1973) was a British railwayman, successively the last General Manager of the Southern Railway and the first Chairman of the Railway Executive.

Early life Eustace James Missenden was born in London, the son of a South Eastern and Chatham Railway station master. He left school at an early age, which, according to author Michael Bonavia, gave him a chip on his shoulder.

In May 1899, Missenden started work as a junior clerk with the South Eastern Railway, at the small station at Bishopsbourne, on the Elham Valley line, earning 7 s a week. In November 1902, after a spell at New Romney, he was posted to Lydd, on the edge of Romney Marsh, and his pay went up to 17s a week. For a staff photograph, which must have been taken shortly after he arrived (aged sixteen and a half), he stood at the extreme edge of the group, as befitted his junior status, but his shiny shoes and stand-up collar (the only one in the group) show that he intended to make an impression.

Southern Railway years Missenden's career was largely with the Southern Railway, where he rose to be Docks and Marine Manager and in 1941 General Manager. He was a competent railwayman, experienced more on the operating than the commercial side of operations, and was loyal to the established working practices of the Southern Railway. Missenden was also a good organiser and knew how to delegate, whilst looking after the interests of those subordinates who had served him well, the key example being Oliver Bulleid. He firmly declined to work over-long hours and was careful, perhaps even fussy, over his health. However, Missenden lacked both the warm, extrovert personality of his predecessor at Waterloo, Gilbert S. Szlumper, and the intellectual and managerial distinction of Sir Herbert Walker, a predecessor he admired greatly.

Missenden retired in 1951. and upgraded to Officer of the same order (OBE) in the 1937 Coronation Honours. He was knighted in the 1944 Birthday Honours.

Personal life In 1912, he married Lilian Adeline Gent, daughter of Henry Gent. They had no children.

He died in 1973, aged 86.