P. & R. Williams records and pictorial material, 1898, 1914-1997

MLMSS 9666/Boxes 1-2
MLMSS 9666/Box 3X

fonds

1898-1997

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Ephemera, Photographs

1296638

0.50 metres of textual and pictorial material, and ephemera (2 boxes, 1 outsize box) - black & white, coloured ; - manuscript, printed

Percy Harold and David Reginald (Reg) were born to Christopher and Susan Williams in Victoria. The family moved to Sydney when Christopher joined his brothers in their firm The Canadian Cycles and Motor Agency in George Street, Sydney. Percy and Reg joined the firm as teenagers with Reg later opening his own shop in Kogarah. In 1914 the 2 brothers opened a shop in Orange, N.S.W. under the name of William Bros. They sold and repaired motorcycles and bush bikes such as the English Douglas, American Excelsior and Waratah bikes.

Both brothers served in World War I, after which they moved to Sydney opening their business under the name of P. & R. Williams. Together with their other brothers, Teddy and Stuart, they started entering reliability trials, endurance trials, motor cycle clubs and racing. During 1940s-1950s they had 101 motor cycles dealers, 30 car dealers, 27 tractor and implement dealers and 77 mower dealers, and employed hundreds of staff. Early in 1960 the firm began experiencing losses due to increased overseas competition.

In 1963 the British Motor Corporation put P. & R. Williams into receivership. It was purchased by Larkes Hoskins in 1968 and the name was dropped in 1969.

Reference:
"The P. & R. Williams Story" by Pat Williams

Collection comprises photographs of Percy and Reg Williams at business premises, colleagues and friends participating in motorcycle trials, and products sold and repaired by the firm. Records include business records, clippings from newspapers and magazines and correspondence.

BOX 1

PR 1. Photograph of Percy, aged 4 and Reg Williams, aged 2, January 1898.

PR 2. Article from ‘Through the Windscreen’, titled ‘Pioneer began fine career’, September 1954.

PR 3. An informal biography of Mr D.R. (Reg) Williams by Alan Werne, no date.

PR 4. Clipping from Orange newspaper titled ‘New business’, no date.

PR 5. Williams Bros. stock records to year ending 31 July 1915.

PR 6. Transcript of Moss Williamson’s tape, no date.

PR 7. Photographs of Percy, Reg, Ted and Stuart on motorbikes, 1914 to 1921.

PR 8. Clipping of newspaper report on 24 hour trial, no date.

PR 9. Letters by Moss Williamson, 7 March 1985 to 2 March 1988.

PR 10. Alan Schafer’s article from ‘Classic Motorcycling no. 6’, no date.

PR 11. Clipping from ‘The Motor Cycle’, 25 June, 1931.

PR 12. ‘Welcome Home’ leaflet, containing song words, 16 December 1925.

PR 13. Legal agreements and documents of Williams Bros, and P. & R. Williams, 1924 to 1932, includes donor’s notes on agreements.

PR 14. Newspaper clipping ‘Vale Les Bailey’ by Perce Williams, N.S.W. Motorcyclist, 3 May, 1957.

PR 15. Photocopy of 1926 advertisement for A.J.S., Motorlife, 11 December 1926.

PR 16. Articles of Association of P.& R. Williams, 8 April, 1927.

PR 17. Photographs of Dagmar Buchardt and Nellie Guy, 1928 and newspaper clipping, 1932.

PR 18. Photograph of Mr and Mrs Farrers and Amy Williams also clipping re Villiers Engines, 1938.

PR 19. Photograph Doug and Pat with P. & R. Williams 1928 Sales Trophy in Illawarra Museum, June 1997.

PR 20. Photocopy of photograph of Don Bain and Cec Weatherby after 1929 record run.

PR 21. Articles of Association of Williams, Dredge and Haydon, 14 June 1928, and letter of a change of name, 28 April 1937.

PR 22. Douglas Williams’s reminiscences about W.D. & H. etc., 24 June 1937.

PR 23. Staff photograph of P. & R. Williams, 1929, after record A.J.S. run. Letter from Moss Williams, 3 February 1987 giving background information on people in photograph with a key to names.

PR 24. Souvenir programme P. & R.’s Staff Dance, 1 August, 1928.

PR 25. Photograph P. & R.’s ladies at a Staff Dance, ca 1930.

PR 26. Photograph of P. & R.’s Social Golf Club on a day out, no date.

PR 27. Letter by a P. & R.’s employee, Arthur W. Smith, mentioning wage cut, 30 May 1935.

PR 28. Letters from Phil Charlwood, 17 September 1996 and 19 Mary 1997.

PR 29. Photocopies of photographs and clipping about P. & R. Sports Seventy car, no date.

BOX 2

PR 30. 4 letters from Harold Hales, ca 1997.

PR 31. P.H. Williams’s loose-leaf binder enclosing balance sheets, etc., 1945 to 1961.

PR 32. Letter to P.H. Williams from Arthur Thorp(e), no date.

PR 33. Letters from P.H. Williams to Pat re Ricketty Street fire, 11 January 1952.

PR 34. Newspaper clipping of Doug Williams and Don Bain in Redex Trial M.G., ca 1956.

PR 35. Newspaper clipping of P. & R. Williams’s employees in trials, etc. 1954.

PR 36. Newspaper clipping, obituary of Erick McPherson, no date.

PR 37. Photograph of Les Slaughter and Bill Mayes with their Ampol Trial M.G., no date.

PR 38. Newspaper clipping of new M.G. Magnette car, 1954.

PR 39. P. & R. Williams’s accountants and directors reports, etc., 1960 and 1961.

PR 40. P.H. Williams’s letter to shareholders, no date.

PR 41. 2 letters to P.H. Williams from A.W. Gregory and Moss Williamson, 12 October 1962 and 11 December 1962.

PR 42. Photograph books:
‘A look at P. & R.’s (BOX 3X)
P. & R.’s Motor Cycle products (BOX 2)

PR 43. Photograph of P.H. Williams at his desk. This image is contained in the volume 'The P. & R. Williams Story', page 42, as a photocopy. Original held by donor.

PR 44. Photograph of P.H. Williams fare-welling Don Bay (in car) and Les Slaughter (standing), competitors in 1954 Red X Trial.

1 volume of "The P. & R. Williams Story" [by Pat Williams].

Contents list arranged by donor. The numbering corresponds to reference numbers contained in the volume, 'The P. & R. Williams Story'. Collection arranged in contents list order. PR abbreviated for Percy Reginald.

Copyright status:: In copyright - textual records
Copyright status:: Out of copyright - photographs created before 1955
Copyright status:: Out of copyright - photographs created after 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Some photographs are inscribed on verso.