Bickford's Australia
Encyclopedia
A. M. Bickford and Sons was one of the first manufacturing chemists in South Australia
and until 1930 one of the State's most significant family owned companies. In 1930, they amalgamated with half a dozen other similar Australian companies to form "Drug Houses of Australia" (DHA), which very successfully continued to produce the "A. M. Bickford and Sons" products: the "drugs" and "chemicals" under the DHA brand; the cordials and softdrinks under the "A. M. Bickford and Sons" brand.
In the late 1960s, DHA became the target of a corporate raider and asset stripper, and by the mid 1970s DHA collapsed under the burden of servicing the imposed massive levels of debt. What was left was split up and sold. Reckitt & Colman acquired the major "drugs" and "chemicals" products and brands, and other people and compainies acquired other bits. Melburnian Peter Abbott purchased the pharmacy products, eucalyptus oil operations, and the soft drink products. The pharmacy products were on-sold; the eucalyptus oil operations were incorporated into "FGB"; and the soft drink products continued on under the revived "A. M. Bickford and Sons" brand. In the late 1980s FGB decided to concentrate on their "core businesses" under the FGB brand, and sold the softdrink businesses and now established-for-over-a-century Bickford brand names - the history of the Bickford's products and company names between 1987 and 1999 is not clear.
In 1999 the softdrink business and company names were purchased by the Kotses family. "Bickford's" once again became a South Australian family owned business, and continues to be known for its range of cordials and flavourings which continue to be made today to a similarly high standard by Bickford's Australia.
of Devon
, England
, but when his father died the greater part of his fortune went to his eldest son by an earlier marriage, and his second family, though provided for, had to secure their own future. For the fifteen-year-old William, that meant taking an apprenticeship to Mr Buxton, a druggist.
In September 1838, aged 23, the chemist's assistant left England from Plymouth, rounded the Cape of Good Hope in December, and arrived in Port Adelaide on 15 February 1839 on the barque Platina. Though he had dreams of becoming a shepherd in South Australia, soon after his arrival he was working as assistant in the dispensary attached to the North Terrace surgery of one Dr Bright at a salary of 40/- (£2) a week with board and lodging provided. On 18 August 1839, his 24th birthday, he married Ann Margaret Garrett, whom he had met on the trip from Portsmouth. They were soon expecting their first child, but it died shortly after birth on 6 June 1840, and Ann was seriously ill for some time. In March 1840, William wrote that Dr and Mrs Bright had left the colony for New Zealand, (leaving William to deal with his creditors), and that he had secured another position as manager of a retail shop and dispensary owned by a partnership of two surgeons at a salary of £3 per week.
Despite an economic downturn in the colony, his business thrived. He left the security of the dispensary and by September 1840 had opened his own shop in Hindley Street near Rosina Street with borrowed capital of £220. It, too, prospered, and soon he moved into larger premises at 67 Hindley Street opposite Club Lane. As business flourished, the wholesale lines became the larger part of the firm's business.
In April 1841 he wrote Business is going on prosperously, and I have a comfortable home at my own fire side and a good wife, who studies my interest in every respect. Ann was very supportive of her husband and was able to keep his shop running during any forced absence, jury duty for instance. Their first son, William, was born on 19 November 1841, followed by Harry in February 1843, and Elizabeth in November 1844. In December 1845 they lost a baby, (Eulalia), so William decided to move his family away from the unsanitary conditions of the city. He purchased 16 acres (6.4 ha) of land at Glen Osmond
, "just 3 miles from the Adelaide city centre
", and in the winter of 1846 built a house, later to be called "Benacre
", moving the family there before the onset of the next summer. He commuted daily to his business in the city. They lost another baby, (James), in 1848, but Edward was born in 1849.
William was concerned with the development of Adelaide. In 1847 he was one of the founders of the South Australian Institute
(another was business competitor Francis Faulding
).
In February 1850, William wrote that he had established a garden and had planted fruit trees and vines. However, he did not live to enjoy the fruits, dying on 11 September 1850 at the age of 35 of "brain
fever
", after a 3-day illness, leaving his wife pregnant (with Mary) and with four young children, (William, Harry, Elizabeth and Edward) to care for.
Early 1873 they opened a shop in Taylor Street, Kadina
. It ceased being advertised in 1888.
Remarkably, her passing was marked in the newspapers of the time with the most cursory of death notices and no more. Whatever funeral arrangements there might have been were not advertised. A vault at West Terrace Cemetery
bears the names of both Ann and William Snr. A nearby stone commemorates Charlotte Jane Bickford.
Although not as academically inclined, William must have made his mark as he was prominent in the Institution's 1863 welcome to "old scholars" W. P. Auld
, James Frew and Stephen King
, returning members of the Stuart's sixth expedition which had successsfully crossed Australia from south to north.
He took little interest in civic affairs, but was a keen horseman and was Master of the Adelaide Hounds from 1882 and a committeeman with the South Australian Jockey Club
from 1889. He was a crack shot, and won significant trophies for pigeon shooting.
When the company was floated on the Stock Exchange in January 1903, he was elected first managing director, relinquishing the position to his nephew Harold in 1906.
He was married three times:
on 24 February 1866 to Charlotte Jane Farr (1842?-4 September 1866). They had no children.
on 10 March 1870 to Rosina Mary Ferguson (?-5 October 1898). They had three children: May Bickford (12 April 1872-28 July 1933) (never married)
on 8 December 1904 to Priscilla Simms (nee Chambers) (1854? - 17 November 1924) They had no children.
In 1871 he married Margaret Jane Ferguson. They had seven children:
Their first home was "Fairfield" in Somerton, followed by "Alvington" near the Brighton Esplanade (see chapter below). Both William and Harry sent their sons to St. Peter's College, a tradition that was largely continued in following generations.
He was made Justice of the Peace in 1886 and elected president of the Justices' Association from 1903 to 1904. He was elected to Brighton council and Mayor of Brighton 1886–1887 and 1890–1891. He was president of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce from 1894 to 1895.
He and brother Harry bought Burnside Station near Naracoorte
in 1886, and though neither ever lived there, they installed a manager and visited frequently. The fine merino
wool produced there always found a ready buyer. By the turn of the century they had decided to free themselves of the responsibility, so after the South Australian Government showed no interest at their price of ₤49,540, subdivided the 40,978 acres into 28 lots and put them up for auction on 23 October 1908.
The two brothers were also major investors in the "Paramatta" copper mine at Moonta in the late 1890s.
and married one Henry T. Adams of nearby Kingsbridge
, Devon
Eulalia (1845 - December 1845)
James (b.1848, d. before September 1850)
Edward (1849 - 7 January 1907 in Brooklyn USA)
Mary (b. after September 1850 - 12 December 1882 in Bournemouth
, England)
In 1872 they built the South Australian Cordial Factory on the north side of Waymouth Street where, under Stephen Bickford (about whom little is known), a range of cordials was manufactured, principally limejuice cordial, raspberry vinegar and raspberry balm, but peppermint, cloves, lemon, sarsaparilla, orange bitters, stomach bitters, Canadian bitters and quinine wine were also produced. Production commenenced in 1874, and Bickford's Australia labels continue to carry the Bickford's logo which states: "Since 1874". In 1876 the factory was expanded and became the South Australian Cordial and Aerated Water Factory with Mons. H. Foureur in charge of the aerated drinks
. Mons. Foureur had previously run a similar factory in Glenelg
but like the equipment over which he presided, was of French origin.
With the mother's death in 1877, the two sons continued and expanded the business. William maintained personal contact with important and potential clients statewide, and along the Murray as far as Wentworth
and then up the Darling
to Wilcannia, a 3-month journey he executed twice per year "for some years". Harry was in control at Hindley Street. He served as the first President of the Pharmaceutical Association of S.A. and was known as a sportsman, being Master of the Adelaide Hunt Club for many years.
) on a property with a beach frontage of 160' and depth of 360' (49m x 110m) at the corner of The Esplanade and Madge Terrace (now Bickford Terrace). It was named after West Alvington
, the home village of his grandparents, and the location to which his sister Elizabeth had "migrated". William Bickford did not live long to enjoy its grandeur, and on his death in 1918 left his widow Margaret and son Harold with a substantial overdraft. They were able to maintain a gracious lifestyle however, retaining a coachman and other servants.
In the period 1938-1976, Alvington became "Somerton Home" of the Crippled Children's Association of South Australia, an organisation created to support children with poliomyelitis. In 1976 the children were transferred to a new facility at Regency Park. The property was then sold and the building demolished.
branch.
Harold Bickford (1876–1958) succeeded his father William (jr.) as managing director.
Harding William Bickford (14 January 1877-5 August 1919), youngest son of Harry, was in his youth a prominent cyclist. After a few years' work in the company laboratories he left for London in 1898 to gain qualifications as a pharmacist, and on return to Adelaide in 1903, was employed as assistant lecturer at the University of Adelaide. then as manager of A. M. Bickford & Sons' offices in Sydney
then Brisbane
, where he died of pneumonia.
Reginald Bickford (26 January 1880-20 November 1948) a younger son of William (jr.), was in charge of the Cordial and Aerated Waters factory for many years, succeeding one Stephen Bickford, about whom little is known but was not of the immediate family.
Leslie Bruce Bickford (b.30 December 1885), youngest son of William (jr.) became manager of the Surgical and Veterinary Department.
branch. They were in direct competition with Felton Grimwade & Co. of Melbourne and after a few years decided to amalgamate.
In 1902, Felton Grimwade & Bickford Ltd. was founded in Western Australia. It was a joint venture between Felton Grimwade & Co, Melbourne and A.M. Bickford & Sons, Adelaide, with Robert McClure their first managing director. Sidney Bickford married a Perth girl and settled down, breaking most ties with the Adelaide firm and family.
In 1914 the manufacturing laboratory was transferred to Waymouth Street alongside the cordial factory. Facilities installed included a large (6'6" or 1.9m diameter) autoclave
, a bond store
and plant for manufacturing absolute alcohol.
In 1920 its dental requisites branch was made a separate company Commonwealth Dental Supply Company Ltd. with headquarters in King William Street.
, gained international award recognition for their superiority.
In 1920, Bickford’s commenced production of branded Coffee and Chicory Essence, (later renamed Bickford's Iced Coffee Mix), winning the gold medal at the All-Australian Exhibition in 1930. These and other products are still made to the same original recipes today.
In 1922 Bickford's "Sal Vital", an effervescent "health salt" powder which "contains all the elements that tend to cool and purify the blood, and makes as well, a refreshing and cooling beverage", first went on sale.
(DHA) was formed with a capital of £5,000,000 which combined Bickford's with a number of similar Australian companies representing all states except Tasmania. No shares were offered to the public.
Pursuant to the amalgamation agreements, A.M. Bickford & Son Ltd shareholders received 4.6572 £1 Drug Houses of Australia Ltd shares for each £1 A.M. Bickford & Son Ltd share.
In 1956 D.H.A. (SA) Ltd. moved to new premises at 599 Port Road
, West Croydon
.
In 1961 Drug Houses of Australia’s net profit after tax exceeded a million pounds.
In 1968, DHA was taken over by the corporate raider, asset stripper and now-defunct British bank Slater Walker
. The remnant struggled on until 1974, at which point it was decided to break the company up and sell it. The major products including Dexcal, Sal Vital and Sapoderm were sold to Reckitt & Colman.
Peter Abbott purchased DHA Manufacturing Pty Ltd, which included the eucalyptus oil operations, the business name Drug Houses of Australia, as well as other business and trade names and products including Bickford’s Lime Juice Cordial and Bickford's Coffee Essence. An office and warehouse was set up at 17 Capella Crescent, Moorabbin. The name Drug Houses of Australia and some of the pharmacy only products were on-sold to Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) NSW. Currently, DHA is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and is located in Singapore.
In 1987 FGB sold Bickford’s Lime Juice Cordial and Coffee Essence, together with the business name A.M. Bickford & Sons. (It is not clear to whom they sold them.) FGB continue in business pursuing their other interests and using the FGB brandname, however the company name now appears to be Felton Grimwade & Bosisto's Pty Ltd.
At some time, (most likely 1987, but supporting evidence is yet to be located), the Lloyd Family (of Lloyd Helicopters / Lloyd Aviation / Pearl Aviation
fame) purchased various companies and brands, etc., which allowed them to manufacture and sell soft drinks in general, and Bickford's Lime Cordial in particular, from somewhere in the Adelaide Hills
. But to date, and somewhat peculiarly, no supporting evidence has been located.
According to the Bickford's Australia website, Angelo Kotses became involved with the Lloyds some time in the early 1990s.
In 1999, the Kotses family bought the company.
In the early 2000s iced teas and milkshake mixes were added to the range of products.
In 2005, the cordial and soft drink related parts of the company, now called "Bickford's Australia", moved into "a new state of the art manufacturing facility" in Salisbury, South Australia
.
Since the move to the new manufacturing plant in 2005 the range of products has expanded considerably.
In 2006, Bickfords lime juice cordial was recognised by the National Trust of South Australia as a Heritage Icon.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and until 1930 one of the State's most significant family owned companies. In 1930, they amalgamated with half a dozen other similar Australian companies to form "Drug Houses of Australia" (DHA), which very successfully continued to produce the "A. M. Bickford and Sons" products: the "drugs" and "chemicals" under the DHA brand; the cordials and softdrinks under the "A. M. Bickford and Sons" brand.
In the late 1960s, DHA became the target of a corporate raider and asset stripper, and by the mid 1970s DHA collapsed under the burden of servicing the imposed massive levels of debt. What was left was split up and sold. Reckitt & Colman acquired the major "drugs" and "chemicals" products and brands, and other people and compainies acquired other bits. Melburnian Peter Abbott purchased the pharmacy products, eucalyptus oil operations, and the soft drink products. The pharmacy products were on-sold; the eucalyptus oil operations were incorporated into "FGB"; and the soft drink products continued on under the revived "A. M. Bickford and Sons" brand. In the late 1980s FGB decided to concentrate on their "core businesses" under the FGB brand, and sold the softdrink businesses and now established-for-over-a-century Bickford brand names - the history of the Bickford's products and company names between 1987 and 1999 is not clear.
In 1999 the softdrink business and company names were purchased by the Kotses family. "Bickford's" once again became a South Australian family owned business, and continues to be known for its range of cordials and flavourings which continue to be made today to a similarly high standard by Bickford's Australia.
William Bickford (1815–1850)
William Bickford (18 August 1815 – 11 September 1850) was the seventh child (of fourteen) of a well-to-do couple of West AlvingtonWest Alvington
West Alvington is a small village, located on the outskirts of Kingsbridge in South Devon.It has a Primary School, and is about a 10 minute walk from the centre of Kingsbridge....
of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but when his father died the greater part of his fortune went to his eldest son by an earlier marriage, and his second family, though provided for, had to secure their own future. For the fifteen-year-old William, that meant taking an apprenticeship to Mr Buxton, a druggist.
In September 1838, aged 23, the chemist's assistant left England from Plymouth, rounded the Cape of Good Hope in December, and arrived in Port Adelaide on 15 February 1839 on the barque Platina. Though he had dreams of becoming a shepherd in South Australia, soon after his arrival he was working as assistant in the dispensary attached to the North Terrace surgery of one Dr Bright at a salary of 40/- (£2) a week with board and lodging provided. On 18 August 1839, his 24th birthday, he married Ann Margaret Garrett, whom he had met on the trip from Portsmouth. They were soon expecting their first child, but it died shortly after birth on 6 June 1840, and Ann was seriously ill for some time. In March 1840, William wrote that Dr and Mrs Bright had left the colony for New Zealand, (leaving William to deal with his creditors), and that he had secured another position as manager of a retail shop and dispensary owned by a partnership of two surgeons at a salary of £3 per week.
Despite an economic downturn in the colony, his business thrived. He left the security of the dispensary and by September 1840 had opened his own shop in Hindley Street near Rosina Street with borrowed capital of £220. It, too, prospered, and soon he moved into larger premises at 67 Hindley Street opposite Club Lane. As business flourished, the wholesale lines became the larger part of the firm's business.
In April 1841 he wrote Business is going on prosperously, and I have a comfortable home at my own fire side and a good wife, who studies my interest in every respect. Ann was very supportive of her husband and was able to keep his shop running during any forced absence, jury duty for instance. Their first son, William, was born on 19 November 1841, followed by Harry in February 1843, and Elizabeth in November 1844. In December 1845 they lost a baby, (Eulalia), so William decided to move his family away from the unsanitary conditions of the city. He purchased 16 acres (6.4 ha) of land at Glen Osmond
Glen Osmond, South Australia
Glen Osmond is a small suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Burnside located in the foothills of the Adelaide Hills.-References:...
, "just 3 miles from the Adelaide city centre
Adelaide city centre
The Adelaide city centre is the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide, known by locals simply as "The City" or "Town". The locality is split into two key geographical distinctions: the city "square mile", bordered by North, East, South and West Terraces; and that part of the Adelaide Parklands...
", and in the winter of 1846 built a house, later to be called "Benacre
Benacre, Glen Osmond
Benacre is a house in Glen Osmond, , which is listed on the Register of the National Estate...
", moving the family there before the onset of the next summer. He commuted daily to his business in the city. They lost another baby, (James), in 1848, but Edward was born in 1849.
William was concerned with the development of Adelaide. In 1847 he was one of the founders of the South Australian Institute
South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum is a museum in Adelaide, South Australia, founded in 1856. It occupies a complex of buildings on North Terrace in the cultural precinct of the Adelaide Parklands.-History:...
(another was business competitor Francis Faulding
F. H. Faulding & Co
F. H. Faulding & Co was a pharmaceutical company founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1845 by Francis Hardey Faulding , a native of Swinfleet, near Goole in Yorkshire, son of Francis Faulding, a surgeon.-History:...
).
In February 1850, William wrote that he had established a garden and had planted fruit trees and vines. However, he did not live to enjoy the fruits, dying on 11 September 1850 at the age of 35 of "brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
", after a 3-day illness, leaving his wife pregnant (with Mary) and with four young children, (William, Harry, Elizabeth and Edward) to care for.
Ann Margaret Bickford (1810-1877)
Ann Margaret Bickford (1810 – 24 January 1877) was determined to carry on her husband's business. With five children under the age of ten, she enrolled the help of a retired pharmacist Mr Paxton to 'hold the fort' until more permanent help could be found. She soon engaged qualified chemists Edwin Page and Robert Hutton, and "with their able assistance" carried on the business for 14 years. (Mr Hutton was to open a pharmacy of his own at 76 Rundle Street in 1863.) On 29 May 1865 the shop shifted yet again - to 19 Hindley Street, later the site of Tattersall's Hotel.Early 1873 they opened a shop in Taylor Street, Kadina
Kadina, South Australia
Kadina is a town located on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, approximately 144 kilometres north-northwest of the state capital of Adelaide. The largest town of the Peninsula, Kadina is one of the three Copper Triangle towns famous for their shared copper mining history...
. It ceased being advertised in 1888.
Remarkably, her passing was marked in the newspapers of the time with the most cursory of death notices and no more. Whatever funeral arrangements there might have been were not advertised. A vault at West Terrace Cemetery
West Terrace Cemetery
The West Terrace Cemetery is South Australia’s oldest cemetery, first appearing on Colonel William Light’s 1837 plan of Adelaide. The 27.6 hectare site is located in the south-west corner of the Adelaide central business district, between West Terrace, Anzac Highway, Sir Donald Bradman Drive and...
bears the names of both Ann and William Snr. A nearby stone commemorates Charlotte Jane Bickford.
Second Generation
The children's education did not suffer. They were already studying at the Adelaide Educational Institution, an academy run by J.L. Young in Freeman Street, and continued there for some years. Harry (or Henry as he was then called), was thriving there in 1853. Both he and Edward were mentioned at the prizegiving in 1855 Harry kept a close association with his alma mater, being president of the Adelaide Educational Institution Old Scholars in 1866.Although not as academically inclined, William must have made his mark as he was prominent in the Institution's 1863 welcome to "old scholars" W. P. Auld
W. P. Auld
William Patrick Auld , usually known by his initials or as "Patrick", was an Adelaide, South Australian vigneron and wine merchant born in Stalybridge , the son of Patrick Auld and Eliza Auld .He took part in John McDouall Stuart's sixth expedition William Patrick Auld (27 May 1840 – 2 September...
, James Frew and Stephen King
Stephen King jr
Stephen King was a sketcher, surveyor and explorer. He was part of the last John McDouall Stuart expedition , successfully crossing Australia from south to north....
, returning members of the Stuart's sixth expedition which had successsfully crossed Australia from south to north.
Harry Bickford (1843–1927)
Her son Harry Bickford (24 February 1843 – 6 September 1927) (He may have been christened "Henry".) was sent to England in 1859 to gain qualifications and experience as a chemist, and returned in 1863.He took little interest in civic affairs, but was a keen horseman and was Master of the Adelaide Hounds from 1882 and a committeeman with the South Australian Jockey Club
South Australian Jockey Club
South Australian Jockey Club is the principal race club in South Australia, Australia.The first incarnation of the South Australian Jockey Club was in 1850, when it ran a race programme at Brighton on 14 February. Thomas Shayle was the Hon. Sec...
from 1889. He was a crack shot, and won significant trophies for pigeon shooting.
When the company was floated on the Stock Exchange in January 1903, he was elected first managing director, relinquishing the position to his nephew Harold in 1906.
He was married three times:
on 24 February 1866 to Charlotte Jane Farr (1842?-4 September 1866). They had no children.
on 10 March 1870 to Rosina Mary Ferguson (?-5 October 1898). They had three children: May Bickford (12 April 1872-28 July 1933) (never married)
- Harry Fairweather "H.F." Bickford (1874-1906) m. May Innes-Ker. They had no children.
- Harding William Bickford (14 January 1877-5 August 1919) (never married)
on 8 December 1904 to Priscilla Simms (nee Chambers) (1854? - 17 November 1924) They had no children.
William Bickford (1841–1916)
Older son William Bickford (jr.) (19 November 1841 – 20 September 1916), being less academically inclined than Harry, gained experience travelling and picking up a variety of jobs.In 1871 he married Margaret Jane Ferguson. They had seven children:
- William Ferguson Bickford "Willie" (30 November 1871-22 June 1889) died aged 17 in riding accident
- Sidney Bickford (10 August 1874-10 December 1938) moved to Perth in 1895.
- Harold Bickford (16 May 1876-23 October 1958) Managing director A. M. Bickford & Sons Ltd 1908-1930?
- Norman Forsyth Bickford (b.14 January 1877 at Waymouth St.)
- Evelyn Victoria Bickford (later Mrs Robert Ezekiel Reid of GeelongGeelong, VictoriaGeelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
) (b.7 June 1878) - Reginald Bickford (26 January 1880-20 November 1948) m. Rosa Florence Cudmore (30 September 1879-22 July 1954)
- Leslie Bruce Bickford (b.30 December 1885 at Alvington) m. Dorothy Murray
Their first home was "Fairfield" in Somerton, followed by "Alvington" near the Brighton Esplanade (see chapter below). Both William and Harry sent their sons to St. Peter's College, a tradition that was largely continued in following generations.
He was made Justice of the Peace in 1886 and elected president of the Justices' Association from 1903 to 1904. He was elected to Brighton council and Mayor of Brighton 1886–1887 and 1890–1891. He was president of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce from 1894 to 1895.
He and brother Harry bought Burnside Station near Naracoorte
Naracoorte, South Australia
Naracoorte is a town in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia, approximately 336 kilometres south east of Adelaide and 100 kilometres north of Mount Gambier on the Riddoch Highway .-History:...
in 1886, and though neither ever lived there, they installed a manager and visited frequently. The fine merino
Merino
The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
wool produced there always found a ready buyer. By the turn of the century they had decided to free themselves of the responsibility, so after the South Australian Government showed no interest at their price of ₤49,540, subdivided the 40,978 acres into 28 lots and put them up for auction on 23 October 1908.
The two brothers were also major investors in the "Paramatta" copper mine at Moonta in the late 1890s.
Other children of Ann and William Snr.
Elizabeth "Bessie" (b.1844, d. 1927 or later) visited her grandparents home village of West AlvingtonWest Alvington
West Alvington is a small village, located on the outskirts of Kingsbridge in South Devon.It has a Primary School, and is about a 10 minute walk from the centre of Kingsbridge....
and married one Henry T. Adams of nearby Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is a market town and popular tourist hub in the South Hams district of Devon, England, with a population of about 5,800. It is situated at the northern end of the Kingsbridge Estuary, which is a textbook example of a ria and extends to the sea six miles south of the town.-History:The...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
Eulalia (1845 - December 1845)
James (b.1848, d. before September 1850)
Edward (1849 - 7 January 1907 in Brooklyn USA)
Mary (b. after September 1850 - 12 December 1882 in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, England)
Bickford & Son (1864-1871)
In 1863, Harry, now qualified, returned from England and began working for her. On his 21st birthday, she formally took him into partnership with her as 'Bickford and Son'. She drew up a deed, dated 23 February 1864, for a seven year agreement whereby she held a two-thirds interest, and Harry a one-third interest.A. M. Bickford & Sons (1871-1903)
William was not ready to be tied down, and travelled about the State in a multitude of occupations. Seven years later, he was ready to join the business and a new Deed of Trust was drawn up in 1871 for the new partnership 'A.M. Bickford and Sons'. William took the role of manager and promoter of the business.Expansion and move into wholesale
With the continued expansion of the wholesale and manufacturing side of the business, the retail arm was sold around 1870, and substantial offices and warehouse were built at 42–46 Currie Street (on the Leigh Street corner), which remained the company's headquarters from 1879 until well into the 20th Century; the building was still standing in 2010.In 1872 they built the South Australian Cordial Factory on the north side of Waymouth Street where, under Stephen Bickford (about whom little is known), a range of cordials was manufactured, principally limejuice cordial, raspberry vinegar and raspberry balm, but peppermint, cloves, lemon, sarsaparilla, orange bitters, stomach bitters, Canadian bitters and quinine wine were also produced. Production commenenced in 1874, and Bickford's Australia labels continue to carry the Bickford's logo which states: "Since 1874". In 1876 the factory was expanded and became the South Australian Cordial and Aerated Water Factory with Mons. H. Foureur in charge of the aerated drinks
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is water into which carbon dioxide gas under pressure has been dissolved, a process that causes the water to become effervescent....
. Mons. Foureur had previously run a similar factory in Glenelg
Glenelg, South Australia
Glenelg is a popular beach-side suburb of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Located on the shore of Holdfast Bay in Gulf St Vincent, it has become a popular tourist destination due to its beach and many attractions, home to several hotels and dozens of restaurants.Established in 1836, it is...
but like the equipment over which he presided, was of French origin.
With the mother's death in 1877, the two sons continued and expanded the business. William maintained personal contact with important and potential clients statewide, and along the Murray as far as Wentworth
Wentworth, New South Wales
Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South Wales, Australia. It lies at the confluence of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling and the Murray, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria to the south. The border with the state of...
and then up the Darling
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
to Wilcannia, a 3-month journey he executed twice per year "for some years". Harry was in control at Hindley Street. He served as the first President of the Pharmaceutical Association of S.A. and was known as a sportsman, being Master of the Adelaide Hunt Club for many years.
Alvington
Around 1880, with business prospering and his famly expanding, William built a substantial residence "Alvington" at New Glenelg (now Somerton ParkSomerton Park, South Australia
Somerton Park is a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia. The mainly residential seaside suburb is home to the Somerton Park Beach, and also to Sacred Heart College.Somerton Park Post Office opened on 1 July 1947 and closed in 1988.-References:...
) on a property with a beach frontage of 160' and depth of 360' (49m x 110m) at the corner of The Esplanade and Madge Terrace (now Bickford Terrace). It was named after West Alvington
West Alvington
West Alvington is a small village, located on the outskirts of Kingsbridge in South Devon.It has a Primary School, and is about a 10 minute walk from the centre of Kingsbridge....
, the home village of his grandparents, and the location to which his sister Elizabeth had "migrated". William Bickford did not live long to enjoy its grandeur, and on his death in 1918 left his widow Margaret and son Harold with a substantial overdraft. They were able to maintain a gracious lifestyle however, retaining a coachman and other servants.
In the period 1938-1976, Alvington became "Somerton Home" of the Crippled Children's Association of South Australia, an organisation created to support children with poliomyelitis. In 1976 the children were transferred to a new facility at Regency Park. The property was then sold and the building demolished.
Third generation
Sidney Bickford (10 August 1874-10 December 1938), second son of William (jr.), opened the PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
branch.
Harold Bickford (1876–1958) succeeded his father William (jr.) as managing director.
Harding William Bickford (14 January 1877-5 August 1919), youngest son of Harry, was in his youth a prominent cyclist. After a few years' work in the company laboratories he left for London in 1898 to gain qualifications as a pharmacist, and on return to Adelaide in 1903, was employed as assistant lecturer at the University of Adelaide. then as manager of A. M. Bickford & Sons' offices in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
then Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, where he died of pneumonia.
Reginald Bickford (26 January 1880-20 November 1948) a younger son of William (jr.), was in charge of the Cordial and Aerated Waters factory for many years, succeeding one Stephen Bickford, about whom little is known but was not of the immediate family.
Leslie Bruce Bickford (b.30 December 1885), youngest son of William (jr.) became manager of the Surgical and Veterinary Department.
Felton Grimwade & Bickford Ltd. (1902-1930)
In 1895 the partnership decided to expand west, and sent Sidney Bickford and Robert McClure, an experienced hand from the Adelaide firm to set up a PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
branch. They were in direct competition with Felton Grimwade & Co. of Melbourne and after a few years decided to amalgamate.
In 1902, Felton Grimwade & Bickford Ltd. was founded in Western Australia. It was a joint venture between Felton Grimwade & Co, Melbourne and A.M. Bickford & Sons, Adelaide, with Robert McClure their first managing director. Sidney Bickford married a Perth girl and settled down, breaking most ties with the Adelaide firm and family.
A. M. Bickford & Sons Ltd (1903-1930)
In 1903 the firm became a limited liability company A. M. Bickford & Sons Ltd.In 1914 the manufacturing laboratory was transferred to Waymouth Street alongside the cordial factory. Facilities installed included a large (6'6" or 1.9m diameter) autoclave
Autoclave
An autoclave is an instrument used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam at 121 °C for around 15–20 minutes depending on the size of the load and the contents. It was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879, although a precursor known as the...
, a bond store
Bonded warehouse
A Bonded warehouse is a building or other secured area in which dutiable goods may be stored, manipulated, or undergo manufacturing operations without payment of duty. It may be managed by the state or by private enterprise. In the latter case a customs bond must be posted with the government...
and plant for manufacturing absolute alcohol.
In 1920 its dental requisites branch was made a separate company Commonwealth Dental Supply Company Ltd. with headquarters in King William Street.
Products
In 1874, following the foundation of the South Australian Cordial and Aerated Water Factory and laboratories on Waymouth Street, the company began producing premium cordials and aerated drinks. Before long these quality products, including the now famous Bickford’s Lime CordialLime cordial
Lime cordial is a mixture of concentrated lime and sugar, sometimes used as a mixer for cocktail. While lime cordial can be diluted and consumed with vodka or water, any liquid will suffice....
, gained international award recognition for their superiority.
In 1920, Bickford’s commenced production of branded Coffee and Chicory Essence, (later renamed Bickford's Iced Coffee Mix), winning the gold medal at the All-Australian Exhibition in 1930. These and other products are still made to the same original recipes today.
In 1922 Bickford's "Sal Vital", an effervescent "health salt" powder which "contains all the elements that tend to cool and purify the blood, and makes as well, a refreshing and cooling beverage", first went on sale.
Drug Houses of Australia (1930-1974)
In 1930, a holding company Drug Houses of AustraliaDrug Houses of Australia
DHA was originally established in 1936 as an amalgamation of 7 Australian pharmaceutical companies. In 1970, DHA was taken over by the British bank Slater Walker....
(DHA) was formed with a capital of £5,000,000 which combined Bickford's with a number of similar Australian companies representing all states except Tasmania. No shares were offered to the public.
| The companies involved were: | |||
| A.M. Bickford & Sons Ltd, South Australia | Duerdin & Sainsbury Ltd, Victoria | ||
| Felton Grimwade & Bickford Ltd, Western Australia | Elliott Brothers Limited, New South Wales | ||
| Felton Grimwade & Co, Victoria | Taylors Elliotts Ltd, Queensland | ||
| Rocke Thompsitt, Victoria | |||
Pursuant to the amalgamation agreements, A.M. Bickford & Son Ltd shareholders received 4.6572 £1 Drug Houses of Australia Ltd shares for each £1 A.M. Bickford & Son Ltd share.
In 1956 D.H.A. (SA) Ltd. moved to new premises at 599 Port Road
Port Road, Adelaide
Port Road is a major road in Adelaide, South Australia connecting the central business district with Port Adelaide. It is 12 km long and exceptionally wide, approximately 70 m. When first conceived upon the establishment of Adelaide, it was designed to be able to accommodate a standard road, a...
, West Croydon
West Croydon, South Australia
West Croydon is a suburb in the north-west of Adelaide, South Australia.West Croydon has a population of 3881, ABS Census 2006, and is located 5 km west of the Central Business District of Adelaide. The population has changed greatly over the past 15 years as older residents move away and...
.
In 1961 Drug Houses of Australia’s net profit after tax exceeded a million pounds.
In 1968, DHA was taken over by the corporate raider, asset stripper and now-defunct British bank Slater Walker
Slater Walker
Slater Walker was a British bank that were in financial difficulties in the 1970s and shook the British banking system at the time.-History:The Company was founded by Jim Slater and Peter Walker, a Tory MP, in 1964 as an authorized bank...
. The remnant struggled on until 1974, at which point it was decided to break the company up and sell it. The major products including Dexcal, Sal Vital and Sapoderm were sold to Reckitt & Colman.
Peter Abbott purchased DHA Manufacturing Pty Ltd, which included the eucalyptus oil operations, the business name Drug Houses of Australia, as well as other business and trade names and products including Bickford’s Lime Juice Cordial and Bickford's Coffee Essence. An office and warehouse was set up at 17 Capella Crescent, Moorabbin. The name Drug Houses of Australia and some of the pharmacy only products were on-sold to Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) NSW. Currently, DHA is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and is located in Singapore.
Felton Grimwade & Bickford Pty. Ltd. (1975-1987)
In 1975 the name DHA Manufacturing Pty. Ltd. was changed to Felton Grimwade & Bickford Pty. Ltd. (FGB), one of the business names that had been taken over.In 1987 FGB sold Bickford’s Lime Juice Cordial and Coffee Essence, together with the business name A.M. Bickford & Sons. (It is not clear to whom they sold them.) FGB continue in business pursuing their other interests and using the FGB brandname, however the company name now appears to be Felton Grimwade & Bosisto's Pty Ltd.
1987-1999 - A. M. Bickford & Sons again ...
It is remarkably difficult to find anything definitive about this period, particularly the period 1987-1991, and it is not clear why.At some time, (most likely 1987, but supporting evidence is yet to be located), the Lloyd Family (of Lloyd Helicopters / Lloyd Aviation / Pearl Aviation
Pearl Aviation
Pearl Aviation is the most prominent of a group of aviation companies owned by Paspaley Pearling. It is an air charter company based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It operates specialist aviation services including air ambulance, mining site flights, offshore oil support and contract...
fame) purchased various companies and brands, etc., which allowed them to manufacture and sell soft drinks in general, and Bickford's Lime Cordial in particular, from somewhere in the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
. But to date, and somewhat peculiarly, no supporting evidence has been located.
According to the Bickford's Australia website, Angelo Kotses became involved with the Lloyds some time in the early 1990s.
Bickford's Australia
In 1991 the company extended the premium cordial range to include blackcurrant syrup and other new flavours, and throughout the 1990s further expanded the range with "old style sodas", fruit juice flavoured mineral water, bottled water and other products. In the early 2000s iced teas and milkshake mixes were added to the range.In 1999, the Kotses family bought the company.
In the early 2000s iced teas and milkshake mixes were added to the range of products.
In 2005, the cordial and soft drink related parts of the company, now called "Bickford's Australia", moved into "a new state of the art manufacturing facility" in Salisbury, South Australia
Salisbury, South Australia
Salisbury is a northern suburb in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the seat of the City of Salisbury, and in the South Australian Legislative Assembly electoral district of Ramsay and the Australian House of Representatives divisions of Wakefield and Port Adelaide...
.
Since the move to the new manufacturing plant in 2005 the range of products has expanded considerably.
In 2006, Bickfords lime juice cordial was recognised by the National Trust of South Australia as a Heritage Icon.