It is generally agreed that the sugar trade began in the UK, in London, c1544, with two cane sugar refineries .... today there is only one. In between, a vast number of individuals and companies have come and gone, in an industry, which until the 20c, was a notoriously labour intensive, hot, exhausting, and dangerous place to work.

"15 Sept 1879, Hans Rathgen, age 69, sugarbaker. Cause of death - shock to the system from scalds through having fallen into a pan of boiling sugar. Accidental. Middlesex Coroner's inquest held 18 Sept 1879" - from a death certificate from Ian Rathjen.

Whilst the majority of owners of these refineries were British, those who ran the refineries, and the labourers, were mainly migrants, with those from N.Germany predominating.

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