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Mr. R.M.Williams with his pet Blue Heeler dog, 1988. Photo by Australian News and Information Bureau-

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about R. M. Williams

Reginald Murray Williams was an Australian entrepreneur and bushman who rose from a swagman to a millionaire. He was born into a pioneering settler family working and training horses.

He had many adventures in Australia’s rugged outback as a bushman. Williams became known for creating an Australian style of bush wear clothing, footwear recognized worldwide, and the company that bore his name.

Learn more about R.M. Williams in these top 10 fascinating facts.

1. Williams Was from Welsh Ancestor

Williams was born on May 24, 1908, in Belalie North, South Australia, Australia, to Joe Williams and his wife. He was from Welsh ancestors, his maternal grandfather Richard and Mitchell from Cornwall.

His family moved to Adelaide when Williams was ten years so that he and his two sisters could attend school there. School challenged him, and he dropped out at 13, Williams packed his swag and left home.

2. Williams Was a Swagman

Swagman was a transient laborer who traveled by foot from farm to farm carrying his belongings in a swag (a portable sleeping unit). At 13 years he packed his swag and left him home.

At the age of 18, Williams started working as a camel driver. He spent three years trekking through the Australian desert, living with Aboriginal Australians and learning to survive the harsh conditions.

In the 1950s, he purchased 55 hectares of land behind Yatala Labour Prison, South Australia. Williams then constructed a homestead, planted vineyards and thousands of roses and ran rodeos on the floodplain of Dry Creek.

His land was taken for public use during the time of former State Premier Sir Thomas Playford. Williams left South Australia for his Rockybar property in Eidsvold, Queensland, vowing never to return to South Australia.

3. Williams Learned his Leather-Workings skills From a Stockman

A pair of brown RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boots. Photo by Nick-D-

He had since 1927 been employed as a missionary by the United Aborigines Mission (UAM), an interdenominational Christian group that had set up the Mission in 1931.

Williams then learned his leather-working skills from an Aboriginal stockman called “Dollar Mick” Smith. He was making bridles, riding boots and Pack saddles near Nepabunna in the northern Flinders Ranges.

In 1932, Williams’s son was very ill and at the expense of hospital treatment. He was in serious need of money and began selling his saddles to Sir Sidney Kidman, a wealthy pastoralist.

Between 1932 and 1934, he set up a workshop and employed local Adnyamathanha people from the Nepabunna Mission, who played a vital part in building up his business.

4. Williams Started a Small Factory in 1934

In April 1934, he moved back to Adelaide and started a small factory running in his father’s back shed in prospect, which rapidly expanded.

He had financial problems to address and became involved with the Nobles Nob gold mine near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

His most successful products were hand-crafted riding boots (used for horse riding). Williams boots were unique when they were introduced to the market.

The boots were unique because they consisted of a single piece of leather stitched at the rear of the boot (the models that featured an elastic side have been particularly popular).

5. Williams Sold His Business in 1988

Williams sold the business in 1988 to the long-established South Australia stock and station agents Bennett & Fisher Limited. In 1993 the business went into receivership after banks were concerned about its vast debts.

R.M. Williams Pty Ltd was then put under the ownership of long-time friend Ken Cowley. His friend acted in partnership with Australian business mogul Kerry Stokes and, with his family, presided over the business for two decades.

The LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Group agreed to sell the company to Andrew Forrests Tattarang investment company.

6. Nowadays, R.M. Williams Pty Ltd has Become a Popular Company

A pair of brown RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boots. Photo by Nick-D-

When Williams started the company, it was small, and its successful products were handcrafted riding boots. Now it’s a big company known for producing Chelsea boots.

Over recent years R.M. Williams has focused on becoming a luxury shoe company aimed at city-dwellers. In 2013 R.M. Williams craftsman boots were selected as the Australian Army’s standard boots in a competitive tender.

As of 2022, R.M. Williams sells crafts leather boot range, small leather goods, belts and a growing portion of their apparel and accessories in the workshop based in Adelaide.

In late 2019, R.M. Williams was doubling its boots production to 500,000 pairs per year by 2023. it was aiming to achieve revenue of A$153 million over 2019.

7. During his Lifetime, he Received Prestigious Awards

In 1985 William was appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) for services to the outback community.

Williams was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1992. He was awarded this reward for his service to business and the community.

He was also awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001. The Centenary Medal recognizes people who contributed to Australian society or government.

8. He Left Several Legacies

Mr. R.M.Williams with his pet Blue Heeler dog, 1988. Photo by Australian News and Information Bureau-

In the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, William was an original board member of this institution that was opened in Longreach, Queensland, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on April 29, 1988.

Williams helped form the Equestrian Federation of Australia in 1951 and the Australian Olympic Equestrian Team has competed in R.M. Williams boots since the Melbourne Olympics of 1956.

He led a committee that founded Australia’s Bicentennial National Trail, a 5,330-kilometer route through the wilderness and mountains. The trail is perfect for horse riders, mountain bike riders and walkers.

9. Williams Did Several Publications

Williams began a national magazine, Hoofs and Horns, in 1944. The magazine was aimed at cattlemen and horsemen.

He published over 300 pages of poetry anthology Saddle for a throne in 1953. The poems of Scottish-Australian bush poet Will H. Ogilvie struck a chord with Williams, who shared their affinity with Ogilvie with horses and the Australian outback.

Williams also co-wrote his autography Beneath whose hands in 1985.

10. Williams Got Married Twice

During the Great Depression in Australia, R.M. returned to Adelaide, where he met Thelma Ena Cummings, who would become his first wife. They married, settled in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, and had six children.

Williams broke up with his first wife in the 1950s. He later remarried in 1955 to Erica. They had four more children, living at the North Burnett cattle station in Queensland.

Williams, his wife Erica and tom Quilty inspired the Tom Quality Endurance Ride in 1966. the event is held annually and is now an international event.