
Sainsbury Family; Sainsbury's Chairman
The eldest surviving child of John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury, John Benjamin Sainsbury was active in helping in his parents' shop from a very early age. His first job was serving eggs but later on he was allowed to help drive the firm's first horse-drawn van. Within the firm he was known as "Mr John". From an early age, he was trained to take over as the head of the company. The earliest recorded Board Meeting of the firm was held in November 1911, at which point the five elder brothers, including John Benjamin, were taken onto the Board. At that meeting decisions were made regarding how the operation of the business should be divided between the brothers. John Benjamin undertook significant responsibility, taking charge of the bacon and ham departments, the purchasing of lamb and Ostend rabbits, engaging staff, the development and maintenance of stores and the care of vehicles and horses. On 27 March 1915 , he was taken into partnership of Sainsbury's, managing the day-to-day running of the firm's branches.
Upon his father's death in 1928, John Benjamin became Chairman and held the position until his own death in 1956, although in practice he passed the daily responsibilities to his sons Alan and Robert in 1938 as joint General Managers. As part of his responsibilities for staff engagement and welfare in the interwar years John Benjamin purchased a sports ground for the company at Dulwich. John Benjamin took an intense and active interest in the acquisition and performance of new stores, steadily expanding the number of shops during the 1920s and 1930s. He visited sites to assess their suitability and in some cases worked at new stores to help achieve the required profits. He also visited potential new store sites with his family at weekends and conducted his own market research. Inspectors, later known as district supervisors, were required to report on their branches' performance to John Benjamin at least once a week. He married Mabel Miriam van den Burgh, daughter of margarine magnate Jacob Van den Bergh, in 1896. They had two sons, Alan and Robert, and a daughter.
DS/UK/144
1871-1956
173 Drury Lane, Holborn, London
159 Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town, London
Related content
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The files contain material for the following branches: Kempston; Kensington; Kentish Town; Kettering; Kidderminster; Kilburn; Kings Heath; Kings Lynn; Kingsland and Kingston. The Kensington material consists of three letters from John Benjamin Sainsbury to Mr Curtis. Mr Curtis was the Manager of 84/6 Ballards Lane, Church End, Finchley before becoming the Manager at 99 Gloucester Road, Kensington. The letters deal with his transfer to Gloucester Road. One letter, dated 27 December 1918 to Mr Curtis at Ballards Lane, had been placed in the file for Finchley (SA/BR/22/F/13) while the other two, dated 9 and 16 September 1919 and sent to Mr Curtis at Gloucester Road, had been placed under G for Gloucester Road (SA/BR/22/G/14). They were brought together under Kensington because Gloucester Road is listed under Kensington in the branches spreadsheet and they all deal with Mr Curtis' transfer to that branch.
Material relating to branch files - K
SA/BR/22/K/16
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Correspondence from Mr J. B. Sainsbury and George Sainsbury to individual branches regarding bonuses for branch management and Christmas, stock ordering, tea, biscuits, special offers and staff. Includes letters to Mr Blake of Chelmsford branch regarding his notable sales of tea (1923). Also includes letter to Mr Lovegrove of Brighton branch regarding high sales of biscuits ('biscuitomania') (1938).
Branch correspondence, 1905-38
SA/BRA/3/1/3/1
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Includes photographs and correspondence about a flood the branch at 96 High Street, Tonbridge was affected by, and news cuttings and letters about the death of John Benjamin Sainsbury. Also includes a book of matches commemorating Sainsbury's centenary anniversary, and a menu and record for Sainsbury's 80th anniversary dinner. Also contains copper alloy tokens (spade guineas), red buttons from staff uniforms and a butter tester. The material was collected by Edward I Garner.
Material from Edward I Garner
SA/EMP/5/4/4
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Collection of postcards addressed to Mr Charly Lovell and 1 letter to Mr J. B. Sainsbury.
Postcards to Charly Lovell, and letter to J.B. Sainsbury
SA/EMP/PER/UNI/1
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Film (silent, with caption cards) of the Sainsbury Staff Association's day trip to Margate on a paddle steamboat from London, accompanied by 'Mr John' (John Benjamin Sainsbury, Chairman). 1,200 members of staff and their families were on the trip. The film begins with staff boarding the steamer, the PS Royal Eagle, at Tower Pier, with Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in the background. The boat travels under the open bridge of Tower, and down the River Thames past the ferry at Woolwich and the docks. The passengers fill the deck of the boat, sitting and standing watching the riverside views and traffic. In the boat's kitchens cooks work away producing meals. An onboard competition for dress making, sees several women being adorned with garments fashioned from newspaper. Inside the boat, the passengers sit at tables to take tea and for lunch served by waiting staff in the saloon. A swing band plays, with many women singing along. Bingo cards are handed out to some people (including Mr John) for a game of 'housey-housey' while others are satisfied to simply sit out in deck chairs on what appears to be a sunny, if windy day. The boat arrives at Margate, mooring at the pier. Some passengers enjoy a promenade along Margate sea front, while others flock to the crowded beach and the 'Dreamland' amusement park. Before too long they are back on the boat, waving goodbye to Margate and heading home. Some ominous rainclouds herald worse weather ahead. Many people seek sanctuary inside, take afternoon tea and enjoy another sing-song with the band. As the day progresses, some people decide to dance, whilst other enjoy the simple pleasure of a cocktail from the boat's well stocked bar. 11 minutes, 22 seconds long. Silent black & white film. Produced by Peach Studios, 15 Plumstead Road, Woolwich.
"Sainsbury Staff Association: Staff Outing to Margate, Sunday May 18th 1947" film
SA/EMP/SOC/1/8
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Mixed original and photocopied documentation relating to the Sainsbury family, some typical examples include: Mr Alfred Sainsbury's original employment letter from John James (his Father). Notes regarding Mr Frank Sainsbury dictated by his brother, Mr John Benjamin. News of the World, 16 September 1928. An article concerning the marriage of Mr Cecil J Sainsbury and Miss Hilda Plumridge. Certificate of Merit for a Rosa Sainsbury, June 1891. It is unknown if Rosa is connected to the Sainsbury company. Copies of John James' and Mary Ann Sainsbury's wills. This file also contains SA/FAM/15/4 and 5
Mixed Sainsbury family materials
SA/FAM/15/2
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Recording and transcript of BBC interview of T.R. Welham and G. Harrison relating to their employment in Sainsbury's stores from the 1920s to 1950s and experiences as store managers. Summary of content: 202A: 1920s: Christmas preparations. Working in shop as 14 year old. Egg boy. Game. Market shops. Biscuits. 1927/28: Biscuits. Huntley and Palmers. Peek Freans. Chiltonians. Grocery. 1928: Luton branch. Description of interior. Training at Blackfriars [Sainsbury's head office complex]. Meat department, chopping meat. Working hours. Wages. Discipline. Cutting down meat. Window dressing. Dairy window displays. Sales of lamb. Selling butter, margarine. Weekend trade. Payment of wages. 1928 (approximate): Weighing up 56lbs of butter and lard. Selling to customers. Sales technique. Product knowledge. Sardines. Tea. First hand. Staff pecking order. Female workers. 1928: References to Frosts, Home & Colonial, Maypole Hygiene [other food stores]. 202B: 1920s/1930s: Layout of shops, description of foods. Working hours. Start of pension scheme. meals at work. Christmas. Unions. Rates of pay. Mr JB Sainsbury. Mr Jones supervisor. SE Smith. Mr Alan Sainsbury. Mr RJ Sainsbury. Staff numbers. Cooked meat departments. York hams. 1930s: Living in. Oxford, Cambridge colleges. Deliveries. 1940s/50s: Change to self-service. Marylebone, Croydon, Eastbourne, Debden. 1950s: Marylebone, 9-11 Croydon. Self service. Mr RJ Sainsbury. Mr Alan Sainsbury. Self service training. Lewisham. Oxford. Lewisham. Bristol. Tommy Reeves. Skills. Meat in self service stores. Maypole. Co-op. 1930s: Competition. Thoroughgoods [food retailer taken over by Sainsbury's]. Norman Hayes. 1950s: Competition. Tesco. 9-11 Croydon. Early self service. Trolleys. Car parks. 1930s: Christmas. Holloway Rd. Frank Sainsbury. Gants Hill. Mr JB Sainsbury. Berkhamsted. Wages. various dates: Trading stamps. Start of self service. Refrigeration. York of Shipley. Customer loyalty. Tipping. Departments in manual shop.
Audio recording and transcript of interview with Sainsbury's veterans Mr T.R. Welham and Mr G. Harrison for BBC TV 'History of Retailing'
SA/HIS/1/1/4
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Correspondence between Mather & Crowther Ltd [advertising agents for Sainsbury's] and Sainsbury's. Consists of 3 letters: (1) dated 10 Jul 1939 from the Executive Director of Mather & Crowther Ltd. to Alan Sainsbury informing him that all the forms of copy used in the recently completed "70th anniversary" advertising scheme have been printed on special paper and bound together to give a complete and permanent record; (2) dated 12 Jul 1939 from J.B. Sainsbury (Chairman) to the Chairman of Mather & Crowther Ltd. voicing his pleasure at seeing the the folder enclosing the series of advertisements prepared by the advertising agency to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Firm and his conviction that this publicity has had a beneficial effect upon Sainsbury's public relations and that "there is throughout every evidence of the closest possible co-operation between our two houses"; (3) dated 13 Jul 1939 from the Chairman of Mather & Crowther Ltd. to Mr J.B. thanking him for his kind comments about the advertising agency's services and "happy relations" between the two firms.
Correspondence between Mather & Crowther Ltd and Sainsbury's about 70th anniversary advertising campaign
SA/MARK/ADV/4/1/14
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Keywords: Lewisham, self service, branch interiors, branch exteriors, preparation areas pp.1-26; Seven Kings, branch interiors, branch exteriors, preparation areas; social staff, Griffin Club, cricket pp. 36-37; Blackfriars, head office pp. 38-43; John Benjamin Sainsbury p.44; Goring Road p.46.
'JS Journal', October 1955
SA/SC/JSJ/9/9
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Includes accounts for: legal and professional charges, J.B. Sainsbury loan account, office furniture and fixtures account and accounts for individual properties. (Indexed)
The Cheyne Investments Limited ledger, 1928-35
SA/SUB/1/11/1
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Includes articles about the history of Blackfriars [area including Sainsbury's head office and depots in London], letters containing reminscences about the area, and a booklet by Christ Church, Blackfriars Road, 'Windows on the world of work' which includes a brief description and picture of a stained glass window Sainsbury's paid for. Also includes a letter containing reminiscences about John Benjamin Sainsbury and his relationship with one of Sainsbury's suppliers in Holland [?Rewwarden], 20 Apr 1978, a postcard depicting Stamford House, c. 1913 (ref. BL/1) and information about improvements to New Stamford House and the office layout, c. 1971 (ref. BL/3).
History of Blackfriars area articles, letters and other papers
SA/BL/2/4
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Correspondence, mainly from John Benjamin Sainsbury to Mr Younger, area supervisor regarding complaints about staff; pricing; staff allocation and suitability; bacon sales and lists of maximum length of time that meat products could be kept in stock.
Correspondence mainly from J.B. Sainsbury to Mr Younger (area supervisor)
SA/BL/3/36
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Includes distribution list. The reports are accompanied by a letter from Mr John Benjamin Sainsbury, one signed 'Grandfather' and the other 'Uncle Jack'. Also includes letter from Clark, Battams and Co. acknowledging receipt of their copies.
Directors' report and accounts 1949
SA/CO/5/1/1
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Fam/1 Golden wedding menu card with family signatures, death certificate, Funeral service at St John's Putney Monday 9 January 1928. Book of obituaries collated by Mr Robert Sainsbury (transferred to Sainsbury's Archives in 1985). Obituaries from The Grocer January 7 1928, Fam/2 Memoirs, stories, anecdotes, Westminster insurance story, newspaper clippings, retirement letter, dinner invitations, staff identity card, marriage and death certificates. Funeral service at Golders Green Crematorium May 29 1956, Staff Memorial on June 5 at Southwark Cathedral,
Biographical and memorial memorabilia relating to John James and John Benjamin Sainsbury
SA/FAM/1/1
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Condolence letters to the company relating to the death of John Benjamin Sainsbury 23 May 1956. The letters are from public, private and corporate persons. Lists of who sent to each of the members of the family are included.
Condolence letters concerning Mr John Benjamin Sainsbury
SA/FAM/2/1
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A dedication to JB Sainsbury written in 1954 from E. E. Batchelor in Bournemouth marking their long standing friendship of 50 years. It appears to have been on behalf of the staff at the shop there.
Scroll from EE Batchelor to John Benjamin Sainsbury
SA/FAM/2/2
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A name stamp for John Benjamin Sainsbury. It contains his signature. The wooden handle connects to a clear perspex sheet with Mr JB's signature underneath to show what the stamp would provide when used. There is a steel rim wrapped around the outside securing the parts together. The stamp itself has seen a great deal of use.
John Benjamin Sainsbury name stamp
SA/FAM/2/4
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A glass name plate with 'J.B SAINSBURY.' written upon it in black letters with a gold background. The glass has a beveled edge. It The plate may have been used on a door, or a free standing desk mount. The reverse of the plate has a black deposit on it, that suggests it may have been removed from a door.
'J.B. Sainsbury' name plate
SA/FAM/2/7
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Includes signed indenture between John James Sainsbury and Alfred Banton relating to assignment of leasehold on premises at 424 Tottenham High Road, 25 May 1903, for the sum of £1,500, with associated letter from solicitors Richardson, Foxwell & Hart. Also includes an architectural drawing and license for proposed alterations to new warehouse premises at Tottenham High Road, 5 December 1932. The licence is made out from J.B Sainsbury Esq. & Others to J. Sainsbury Limited.
Leasehold assignment indenture and alteration licence for Sainsbury's branch at 424 Tottenham High Road
SA/LE/2/3