Historical information

This booklet has been produced as a handbook for the employees of the Warrnambool-based clothing business of Fletcher Jones and Staff. Sir David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) was born in Bendigo and served with the A.I.F. in World War One. He and an ex-war mate began trading in the Western District as itinerant hawkers of manchester and later Fletcher Jones continued on his own, gradually expanding the business until, in 1922, he opened a menswear and tailoring business in Warrnambool. By 1941 he was making nothing but men’s trousers, supplying retailers in over 100 outlets. In the late 1940s he turned his business into a Co-Operative and later expanded the business to include both men’s and women’s clothing. He opened a factory in Warrnambool, which, with it beautiful gardens, became a tourist attraction. The factory site was called Pleasant Hill. When he died in 1977 his business was one of the largest clothing manufacturers in Australia and possibly the world but, with the competition from imported clothing, the enterprise did not survive into the 21st century. It is presumed that Doug Ferguson was an employee of Fletcher Jones and that the gold label award was for his work or that of his department.

Significance

This staff handbook for employees of the clothing business of Fletcher Jones & Staff is of major interest as this business, known nationally, was one of the most significant businesses ever to operate in Warrnambool. The handbook is of interest in itself as it has the Fletcher Jones logo, interesting material about the business philosophy of the business and Fletcher Jones himself, an autographed photograph of him and some significant photographs of the business, including indoor photographs of the factory.

Physical description

This is a soft cover book of 14 pages. It has a blue cover with the red and gold badge of Fletcher Jones on the front cover. The first page has handwritten material in black ink and a photograph of Fletcher Jones. There is also a gold label stuck on to the first page. There are many black and white photographs scattered throughout the text.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Presentation Copy. This copy is the property of Doug Ferguson, Pleasant Hill, With Best Wishes Fletcher Jones, Dec. 20 1951.’
Gold stamp: ‘Highest Award Cut, Make & Trim’