...R.M. Williams, an Australian Legend...
...R.M. Williams, an Australian Legend...
It takes an individual with great character to create a legend. R.M. Williams is the remarkable man behind the legendary boot and clothing collection.
Born in 1908 and raised on a farm in the mid north of South Australia he left home at an early age. With a natural resourcefulness, he learnt basic bush survival skills while working in the remote areas of the outback as a lime burner, gold digger and camel boy for the missionary William Wade. He explored much of central Australia including the Gibson Desert and the Musgrave, Mann, Tompkinson and Petermann Ranges. Life is as tough as it gets in this arid wilderness, so in order to survive the harsh conditions he learnt bush-lore from the aborigines and stock handling and horse skills from the bushmen on the isolated cattle stations north of the Nullabor.
In 1932, while camped in the remote Gammon Ranges in the northern region of South Australia, "R.M." fashioned his first pair of riding boots.
Being a bushman he made his boots suitable for horse-riding and tough enough to outlast the harshest bush conditions, yet handsome enough to polish up and wear into town.
People he met in his travels were most impressed with the unique look of R.M. Williams boots and many asked him to make a pair.
Soon from a modest shed at his father's house at 5 Percy St, Prospect in South Australia he was oitfitting bushmen all over Australia with everything from shirts to saddlecloths, moleskins to oilskins, riding gear and of course, his unique range of boots.
Today R.M. Williams and his committment to quality have become a part of our heritage and continue with that same dedication, to make rugged work, dress and riding boots and outdoor clothing.
From the moment your introduced to a pair of R.M. Williams boots, you can be sure it will be the beginning of a serious friendship, and you'll soon understand why they're something to treasure over a lifetime.
