Maurice Bonham Carter

Sir Maurice Bonham-Carter (11 October 1880 – 7 June 1960) was an English Liberal politician, civil servant and first-class cricketer. He was H. H. Asquith's Principal Private Secretary during Asquith's time as Prime Minister from 1910 to 1916 and later served in other government posts. He played cricket for Oxford University Cricket Club in the early 20th century. The actress Helena Bonham Carter is his granddaughter. Early life Bonham-Carter, who was widely known by the nickname "Bongie," was born in Kensington, London, on 11 October 1880. He was the eleventh child born to Sibella Charlotte (née Norman) and Henry Bonham-Carter. His brothers included General Sir Charles Bonham-Carter, Governor of the Crown Colony of Malta from 1936 to 1940 and the lawyer Sir Edgar Bonham-Carter. He was educated at Winchester College and Balliol College, Oxford. He was a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper for Oxford University Cricket Club, playing thirteen times for the side in first-class cricket matches between 1901 and 1902. He was awarded his cricket Blue in 1902. His highest score in first-class cricket was 86 for Oxford versus H.D.G. Leveson Gower's XI at the Parks in 1902. Bonham-Carter also played one first-class match for Kent County Cricket Club in 1902. Career He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1909. Between 1910 and 1916, Bonham-Carter served as the Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister H. H. Asquith during Asquith's tenure as Prime Minister. He travelled around the country with Asquith at the start of World War I and accompanied the Prime Minister when he visited the frontline at Ypres in 1915. He also visited Italy and, following the Easter Rising, Ireland with Asquith in 1916. When Asquith was replaced as Prime Minister by David Lloyd George in 1916, Bonham-Carter moved to become Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction and then, in 1918, joined the Air Ministry and Road Transport Board.