Yesterday I travelled on a train with a name, and a fantastic name by anyone’s standards...
Henry Cosmo Orme Bonsor (1848-1929) was the son of Joseph Bonsor. Joseph was a successful stationer and owner of Polesden Lacey estate. Henry was a City financier, partner in a brewery company, Director of the Bank of England and a Conservative MP. He was also a governor of Guys Hospital and an (unpaid) Commissioner of Income Tax. He was made a baronet in 1925. He was a public benefactor and loved for his kindness and generosity to all.
In 1885 Henry purchased the estate of Kingswood Warren. In 1897 he became Chairman of the South Eastern railway. That year the railway line was extended from Purley to Kingswood. In 1899 he extended the line from Kingswood to Tattenham Corner to facilitate travel to Epsom Downs Racecourse. It was to mark the centenary of the opening of this line for passenger services that a special train bearing the name ‘Sir Cosmo Bonsor’ was created.
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