[2] Eustace James Missenden was born in London, the son of a South Eastern and Chatham Railway station master.
[4] 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.
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.
The difficulties came from the fact that the Members represented the legacy of the "Big Four" railway companies in Britain, with each having their own agenda even when part of a nationalised industry.
The intention was both to honour his personal contribution and to act as a tribute to the war effort of the Southern Railway's employees.