Firm of Boustead & Ridley was in existence in Zanzibar in 1883, a branch opening at Mombasa in November 1893. His brother, R.N. Boustead joined the company in 1904

The African Standard - 26-2-1903 - Invited to the wedding of H.R. Phelips & Miss Jacquette Edith Lambe in Mombasa (Mr & Mrs Boustead)

Playne - In the old days Messrs Boustead, Ridley & Co., out of which grew the firm of Boustead Brothers, used to run safaris up-country, and they put the first steamer - the ss Kampala - on Lake Victoria Nyanza [sic], the parts being carried on porters' heads. They were also agents for many of the missions, including the CMS. They established themselves in Mombasa in 1892, but they have had a branch at Zanzibar for 35 years, and have another branch in Colombo. The partners are Messrs. J.M. Boustead and E.G. Money. Mr H.C. Rayne is the manager for BEA, and came here in 1902. The Mombasa and Zanzibar houses are run separately, and quite recently the firm has amalgamated its Mombasa business with that of Messrs P.H. Clarke Ltd., of Port Florence (Kisumu), Mombasa and Homa, under the style of Boustead and Clarke Ltd. The directors of the new company are Messrs. J.M. Boustead, R.N. Boustead, P.H. Clarke, H.C. Rayne and A.S. Milliken ........ Messrs Boustead Brothers are the proprietors of the Mombasa Club, which they built in 1897 ....... they also own the Mombasa Stores, where general merchandise is kept. They carry large stocks of guns and ammunition, and fully equip safari parties, even to the supply of porters.

EAS - 29/1/1903 - Mr Boustead came down by mixed on Tuesday. Mrs Boustead is, we understand, remaining in Nairobi for a little while.

Web - Singapore and Free Press Mercantile Advertiser 23 December 1920 page 394

Death of Mr J M Boustead

Messrs Boustead Bros, Colombo on December 5 received a cablegram from London annoucing the death of Mr J M Boustead, partner and Managing Director of the firm which he founded in Ceylon. Mr Boustead, who was born in 1853, was educated at Harrow and University College, Oxford, and rowed for the Oxford eight in 1877, 1878 and 1879 including the dead heat year.

In 1879 he came out to Ceylon to Messrs Lee Hedges and Co with whom he was till 1885. In 1886 he founded the firm of Boustead Bros. In conjunction with Mr Edgar Money, he started the Colombo Electric Tramways about 25 years ago. The late Mr Boustead left Ceylon in 1890 but paid several visits to the island subsequently. He was last there in 1917. His eldest son predeased him in 1905. His other sons are Mr Guy Boustead who is at present in England, Mr Cedric Boustead of Colombo, while another son, Lieut H. A. R. Boustead of the Middlesex and Flying Corps died of wounds in 1917.