Material relating to World War One

Contents include:

photocopy of British Legion and Disablement Claim form,

J. Sainsbury ration card (butter, sugar and meat),

1914 template letter to branch managers (signed by Mr John) regarding postponement of all holidays, branch closure when deliveries not possible, procedure for when Military Authorities ordered supplies, other supplies guidelines, reserving stock for regular customers, asking customers to pay their weekly accounts promptly and to carry home their goods themselves, and managers' discretion in closing early;

Ministry of Food Sugar Registration Card with Sainsbury's stamp,

J. Sainsbury Ration Card,

original and photocopied correspondence from Blackfriars headquarters to branch managers, potential new employees and enlisted/enlisting employees respectively (topics include the unpredictable effects of voluntary enlistment on staffing levels, annual holidays and use of relieving managers, the later postponement of all holidays of managers and staff, exemption of Sainsbury's staff from service under Lord Derby's Scheme, contract conditions for position of saleswoman, efforts to raise public interest in 'Crelos' margarine, Christmas bonuses, supplies guidelines and pricing, reassurance to staff joining the Colours that their situations would be kept open, the allowance made to wives of all married men who had left the Firm to serve with the Colours, guarding against panic-buying and rising prices, customer complaints, the Firm's collection for H.R.H The Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund).

Also contains 10 ration books and 15 various food cards with Sainsbury's stamps, notification of the brand and number allotted to Sainsbury 's horses, cattle, sheep and pigs by the County of Hertford, and various other pieces of correspondence.

Some letters include:
29 Dec 1914: Letter to branch managers re. foodstuffs and prices
12 Aug 1914: Instructions to managers re. posters, eggs, pricing, evening news and milk
Local Emergency Committee - notice to James Sainsbury of the Parade, Watford re. animal brand no. (animals such as horses and cattle to be branded)
5 Aug 1914: instructions to managers re. margarine, bacon, cheese and lamb
31 Aug 1914: letter re. contributions to staff collecting boxes

Also includes photocopied letters to Ethel Bowell with contract and terms for payrise, for interview, and hand-written itinerary for a working day. (1915)