Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 4 February 1944, page 5


Death Of Mr. S. O. Beilby

Mr. Sydney Oscar Beilby, sen., founder of the S. O. Beilby grocery stores in South Australia, died at a private hospital in Sydney yester-

day. He became ill at his club about 24 hours earlier. Mr. Beilby, who was about 63. came to Adelaide in 1915, and opened a shop at Franklin street. w<g business extended rapidly, and he took adjoining shops at Frank lin and Pitt streets. In 1923 he opened premises at King William street, a warehouse at Waymoutb street, and a factory at Hall's Court. Later he bought the long established business of Crawford and Co, King William street. Bis first week's takings in 1915 were only £7 8/. Less than 10 years afterwards he claimed to have the largest retail grocery turnover in the State. He disposed of his business in 1938 to a limited company, and left for NBW, where he has since been interested in the Douglas Drug Company Limited, Sydney, and garden properties at Orange, dividing his time between the two Mr. Beilby bad travelled exten sively throughout Australia and abroad. An Adelaide business man said yesterday that Mr Beilby when in Adelaide gave a great deal of practical help to deserving cases, although this fact was not generally known. Some of his gifts were substantial. Mr. Beilby has left a widow, who is in Sydney, and a son, Mr. S. O. Beilby, who is in the AIF. The funeral, it is understood, will take place at Orange, after a ser vice in Sydney.