Brooker & Sons were manufacturers of jams and conserves in Croydon, South Australia ( Adelaide).
Brooker & Sons grew out of a business founded by John Brooker (10 September 1861 – 1 March 1947), third son of London bricklayer and elder of the Church of Christ, William Brooker (26 August 1826 – 24 January 1909), who with his family emigrated to South Australia aboard Caroline [1] arriving in April 1855. [2]
John Brooker (1861–1947), his second son, was a market gardener [8] and greengrocer in Croydon. In 1904, at a time of surplus in the supply of apricots, he began making jam in a [[Wash copper |copper]] in a shed at the rear of his premises. [9] By 1908 the business had grown sufficiently to have its canned jams advertised for sale by Foy & Gibson, a major Rundle Street department store. [10]
The firm had a display at the 1930 Adelaide Exhibition, and made a feature of their newly released bottled grape juice, touted as a "blood purifier". [11]
John's older brother William Brooker (1848–1931), who for 25 years had a coach-building business in York (now Beverley, South Australia), joined the company around this time. He was from the age of twelve associated with the Church of Christ in Robert Street, Croydon, later becoming Sunday school superintendent, then was a foundation member of the Church of Christ at York. [12]
In 1945 they opened a new modern factory on Queen Street, Croydon, between Princes Street and the Port Road, diagonally opposite their cold store. Products included cans of "Croydon" brand jams, preserved fruits, carrots, beetroot, and asparagus; jars of pickles, and bottles of cordials, sauces, and vinegar. [9]
By 1947, when founder John Brooker died, the firm had 200 employees and the two-storey factory covered more than 2 acres (0.81 ha) of ground, and preparations were underway for a new factory at Finsbury (now Woodville North). [13]
In 1951 Brooker & Sons and Mumzone Products (previously SA Fruitgrowers' Co-op. Society) amalgamated, and progressively moved their production lines to the new Woodville North factory. [14] The Croydon factory became a warehouse for Godfreys Ltd., a whitegoods retailer.
One of the last of the family to be involved with the firm, John Brooker (1931– ), was a competitor in the 6,500 miles (10,500 km) 1953 Redex Reliability Trial, as co-driver of Les March's MG-TD sports car. [15]
William Brooker (26 August 1826 – 24 January 1909) and his wife Jane Brooker née Gemmell (7 July 1925 – 29 March 1905) arrived board Caroline in March 1855.
Brooker & Sons were manufacturers of jams and conserves in Croydon, South Australia ( Adelaide).
Brooker & Sons grew out of a business founded by John Brooker (10 September 1861 – 1 March 1947), third son of London bricklayer and elder of the Church of Christ, William Brooker (26 August 1826 – 24 January 1909), who with his family emigrated to South Australia aboard Caroline [1] arriving in April 1855. [2]
John Brooker (1861–1947), his second son, was a market gardener [8] and greengrocer in Croydon. In 1904, at a time of surplus in the supply of apricots, he began making jam in a [[Wash copper |copper]] in a shed at the rear of his premises. [9] By 1908 the business had grown sufficiently to have its canned jams advertised for sale by Foy & Gibson, a major Rundle Street department store. [10]
The firm had a display at the 1930 Adelaide Exhibition, and made a feature of their newly released bottled grape juice, touted as a "blood purifier". [11]
John's older brother William Brooker (1848–1931), who for 25 years had a coach-building business in York (now Beverley, South Australia), joined the company around this time. He was from the age of twelve associated with the Church of Christ in Robert Street, Croydon, later becoming Sunday school superintendent, then was a foundation member of the Church of Christ at York. [12]
In 1945 they opened a new modern factory on Queen Street, Croydon, between Princes Street and the Port Road, diagonally opposite their cold store. Products included cans of "Croydon" brand jams, preserved fruits, carrots, beetroot, and asparagus; jars of pickles, and bottles of cordials, sauces, and vinegar. [9]
By 1947, when founder John Brooker died, the firm had 200 employees and the two-storey factory covered more than 2 acres (0.81 ha) of ground, and preparations were underway for a new factory at Finsbury (now Woodville North). [13]
In 1951 Brooker & Sons and Mumzone Products (previously SA Fruitgrowers' Co-op. Society) amalgamated, and progressively moved their production lines to the new Woodville North factory. [14] The Croydon factory became a warehouse for Godfreys Ltd., a whitegoods retailer.
One of the last of the family to be involved with the firm, John Brooker (1931– ), was a competitor in the 6,500 miles (10,500 km) 1953 Redex Reliability Trial, as co-driver of Les March's MG-TD sports car. [15]
William Brooker (26 August 1826 – 24 January 1909) and his wife Jane Brooker née Gemmell (7 July 1925 – 29 March 1905) arrived board Caroline in March 1855.