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William Batchelor: (1860-1913) founder of Batchelor Foods Ltd.

Early life
William Batchelor (1860-1913) was a railway clerk before he started selling tea in packets in 1895. In 1899 he founded the private company named Batchelor&Co later renamed as Batchelor Foods Ltd.

Personal life
Batchelor was married to Annie Batchelor (née Allott) they were known to have two daughters one named Ella Hudson Gasking (née Batchelor) and four sons two named Maurice and Frederick Batchelor. His daughter Ella Gasking took over the company in 1913 after Batchelor's sudden death whilst on holiday. Batchelor also had a younger brother James Sergeant Batchelor.

Career
Batchelor started his career as a railway clerk. In, 1895 Batchelor packed and sold loose tea in packets in a disused Methodist church in Stanley Street, Sheffield. In the year 1899, he successfully founded a private company named Batchelor & Co. Later in 1912, he renamed it Batchelor Foods Ltd. after switching his product to dried peas which he sold in handy-sized cartons previously sold lose over the greengrocer’s shops. The company is now popularly known for its super noodles and cup-a-soups and ready in 5 minutes pasta. He also became a city councillor in Sheffield before his sudden death in 1913.

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