Within the CALHN Health Museum is a fascinating collection of pharmaceuticals manufactured by AM Bickford & Sons. Long before Bickford’s became a household name for cordials and soft drinks, it was a trusted name in medicine. As one of Adelaide’s earliest apothecaries, Bickford’s produced tinctures, tonics and remedies for the growing colony.
William Bickford
William Bickford, the son of a Devonshire squire, trained as a chemist in London with an interest in veterinary medicine. This came in handy in early Adelaide, where settlers relied on their animals for transport, farm work, and food. Arriving in Adelaide in 1839 aboard the Platina at just 23 years of age, William’s original plan was to become a sheep farmer. But with just £10 in his pocket, livestock farming wasn’t exactly an option. Instead, he turned to what he knew best—apothecary.
Shortly after arriving in Adelaide, William found work as an assistant in the dispensary attached to Dr Bright’s North Terrace surgery. He received board and lodging as part of his employment. By March 1840, Dr and Mrs Bright had left for New Zealand, unfortunately leaving William to handle Dr Bright’s outstanding creditors. William soon secured a new role as manager of a retail pharmacy and dispensary owned by two surgeons, earning £3 per week. Despite economic challengers in the new colony, the business thrived. By September 1840, he had left the security of retail dispensary to open his own shop. He established it on Hindley Street near Rosina Street with borrowed capital of £220. It, too, prospered, allowing him to expand into larger premises at 67 Hindley Street opposite Club Lane.
If I had brought £100 worth of drugs I would have made 200 per cent by them” wrote William to his mother. “I brought some Tartaric acid last week, and gave 6 a pound for it. Sulphur is retailed at 4d. and 5d. an ounce, and essence of lemon at 60 a pound. The prices obtained today [1940] for these products, among others, would also astonish the pioneer chemist … Sulphur, which he retailed at 4d an ounce, is now sold at about 1d an ounce.
The News, Monday 11 March 1940, page 9 – Four Generations in Business.
Family Life
Amid his professional success, William’s personal life was also flourishing. On his 24 birthday (18 August 1839), William married Ann Margaret Garret, who he had met during the voyage from Portsmouth to Adelaide. Their joy turned to sorrow when their first child was born but sadly passed away on 6 June 1840. The loss took a heavy toll on Ann, leaving her seriously ill for some time.
Despite the challenges of starting a business in a new colony, William and Ann built a strong and supportive partnership. In April 1841, he wrote to his mother:
Business is going on prosperously, and I have a comfortable home at my own fireside and a good wife, who studies my interest in every respect.
Ann played a crucial role in their pharmacy success, often managing the shop in William’s absence. For example, she took charge of the shop when the court summoned William for jury duty.
Their family grew with the birth of their first son William, on 19 November 1841. Harry followed in February 1843 and Elizabeth in November 1844. However, their joy was tempered by loss. In December 1845, their infant daughter, Eulalia, passed away. Concerned about the health risks of living in the crowded and unsanitary city, William decided to move his family to a quieter area. He purchased 16 acres of land at Glen Osmond, just three miles from Adelaide’s city centre. In the winter of 1846, he built a home and later named it Benacre. By summer, the family had settled into their new residence, while William continued to commute daily to his business in Hindley Street.
Then in 1848, they experienced the heartbreak of losing another baby, James. However, the following year, they welcomed their son Edward. William took great pride in his new property, and developed a thriving garden. By early 1850, he had planted fruit trees and vines hoping to create a sustainable home for his growing family.
William’s Passing
Sadly, in 1850, William at the age of just 35, fell seriously ill with what was described as “brain fever.” His illness lasted only three days before he passed away, leaving behind Ann, who was pregnant with their daughter Mary. She was now responsible for raising five young children—William, Harry, Elizabeth, Edward and the unborn Mary. With her husband gone, Ann now faced the daunting task of not only raising their family, but also managing the business on her own.
Anne Margaret Bickford
At a time when women in business were rare, Ann not only kept her late husband’s apothecary running, she expanded and transformed it. As the business grew, she brought her sons into the company, eventually forming Bickford and Sons. Harry trained in chemistry in Britain before returning to Adelaide to take a key role in the shop. His older brother William, travelled both in South Australia and across the border, delivering medical supplies to remote settlements. His travels weren’t without risk – bushrangers often targeted supply routes. According to the Mail, 9 March 1940, William encountered Ned Kelly from The Kelly Gang but was spared. Kelly refused to take any medicinal supplies and instead insisted on buying William drinks at the nearest bush pub.
As the company continued to expand, the focus shifted from retail to large-scale wholesale and manufacturing. A key milestone was opening offices and a warehouse on Currie Street, which became the company’s headquarters for decades. By the 1870s, they had also launched the South Australian Cordial Factory on Waymouth Street, marking the beginning of Bickford’s journey from pharmaceuticals to beverages.
Ann passed away in 1877. Despite leading one of Adelaide’s most successful businesses, her death went largely unnoticed. There was not even an obituary in the newspaper.
The Move to Beverages
Under the leadership of William and Harry, AM Bickford & Sons continued to grow. William maintained personal contact with clients statewide and interstate, while Harry was in control at Hindley Street. He served as the first President of the Pharmaceutical Association of SA.
Bickford’s continued producing both pharmaceuticals and beverages, and in 1903, the company transitioned into a limited liability business, becoming AM Bickford & Sons Ltd. Harry took on the role of Chairman of Directors.
In 1930, the pharmaceutical side of the business took a new direction when Bickford joined forces with several other Australian pharmaceutical companies to form Drug Houses of Australia (DHA). As part of the merger, shareholders of AM Bickford & Sons Ltd, received a stake in the DHA though no public share were issued. DHA grew steadily as a major pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor. However, by the late 1960s, the company was acquired by Slater, Walker Securities. It continued operations under its new ownership until 1974, when mounting financial losses led to the decision to dismantle and sell off DHA’s assets.
From 1930 onwards, Bickford’s then focused on beverages, with its name becoming synonymous with cordials and soft drinks. Today, Bickford’s is best known for its extensive range of beverages, including juices, iced coffee syrups, dairy alternatives and of course, its iconic cordials and soft drinks.
Written by Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum
