Brooker & Sons grew out of a business founded by John Brooker, third son of London bricklayer and elder of the Church of Christ, William Brooker, who with his family emigrated to South Australia aboard Caroline arriving in April 1855. John Brooker, his second son, was a market gardener and greengrocer in Croydon. In 1904, at a time of surplus in the supply of apricots, he began making jam in a copper in a shed at the rear of his premises. By 1908 the business had grown sufficiently to have its canned jams advertised for sale by Foy & Gibson, a major Rundle Streetdepartment store. 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". John's older brother William Brooker, who for 25 years had a coach-building business in York, 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. 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. By 1947, when founder John Brooker died, the firm had 200 employees and the two-storey factory covered more than of ground, and preparations were underway for a new factory at Finsbury. In 1951 Brooker & Sons and Mumzone Products amalgamated, and progressively moved their production lines to the new Woodville North factory. 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, was a competitor in the 1953 Redex Reliability Trial, as co-driver of Les March's MG-TDsports car.
Family
William Brooker and his wife Jane Brooker née Gemmell arrived board Caroline in March 1855.
William Brooker J.P. married Elizabeth Mary Brown on 27 October 1870. He was coachbuilder for 25 years and with J. Brooker for 24 years. Retired hurt around 1922, and lived with his son. Actively involved with Church of Christ, Robert Street, Hindmarsh
Thomas Henry Brooker married Emma Tume on 6 March 1870. He was a greengrocer, councillor, then mayor with Hindmarsh council, later MHA.
Agnes Eliza Brooker
John Brooker married Ellen Hephzibah Black, daughter of Caroline Black, later Kidner in 1882
