Who designed Ghillie shoes

[ForresterModern]

I guess that might be why so many hard core "trads" on the board like those buckle brogues recently discussed at length. Think I will keep my ghillies, regardless of their historical accuracy.

Or maybe I should try a pair of high-top Converse AllStars----same length laces, afterall. Now the only choice is what color?

[Rex_Tremende]

On second thought, maybe not. Snooping about the neighborhood on a quest for the origin of ghillie laces could arouse suspicion among the residents.

Thank goodness for satellite imagery.

Regards,
Rex.

[English Bloke]

Deleted by English Bloke...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Rex, thanks for the aerial view of Ladysmith Road. I suspect that Number 24 may have been the "registered office" address of the company after its reorganization in 1934, and was probably the residence of either the owner or the book keeper of the business.

I have to say that I was some what skeptical about a lacing manufacturer being located in Birmingham, as I would have thought lace making would have been an offshoot of the rope making industry (laces being somewhat similar to twine or string, or other types of cordage) which was centered in Liverpool at that time.

[Rex_Tremende]

I suspect that Number 24 may have been the "registered office" address of the company after its reorganization in 1934, and was probably the residence of either the owner or the book keeper of the business.

I have to say that I was some what skeptical about a lacing manufacturer being located in Birmingham, as I would have thought lace making would have been an offshoot of the rope making industry (laces being somewhat similar to twine or string, or other types of cordage) which was centered in Liverpool at that time.

The actual business end of the business was in West Yorkshire, but in 1933 Andrew Gillis parted company with his younger brother, Clarence, after a dispute over production methods used in their other business, the Gillis Woolens Co. Andrew wanted to add byproduct from the manufacture of his cotton laces to the fibers left over from the production of wool yarns. But Clarence would have none of it, owing to his strong belief in the Virgin Wool. "I'll not have a shoddy product!" Clarence declared.

Andrew went to live with his spinster sister in Birmingham, and re-formed their company in 1934, operating out of her home. His last, heated words to his brother, Clarence, before he left West Yorkshire for the last time were, "I'll know a good yarn when I see one!"

Regards,
Rex.

[Bugbear]

The actual business end of the business was in West Yorkshire, but in 1933 Andrew Gillis parted company with his younger brother, Clarence, after a dispute over production methods used in their other business, the Gillis Woolens Co. Andrew wanted to add byproduct from the manufacture of his cotton laces to the fibers left over from the production of wool yarns. But Clarence would have none of it, owing to his strong belief in the Virgin Wool. "I'll not have a shoddy product!" Clarence declared.

Andrew went to live with his spinster sister in Birmingham, and re-formed their company in 1934, operating out of her home. His last, heated words to his brother, Clarence, before he left West Yorkshire for the last time were, "I'll know a good yarn when I see one!"

Regards,
Rex.

This would make an exelent play, or better yet, a Broadway musical production.

[The Barry]

Fascinating article, great find!

[beloitpiper]

Is that true? I thought ghillie brogues came from the ancient style of shoes. "Ghillie" being the word for a Scottish gamekeeper, and "Brogue" coming from the word for shoes in Gaelic.

[Bugbear]

Gillis and Old Lace

It will need lots of choreography...

[Hamish]

There! I have always maintained that those wretched items of footwear were not 'traditional' - but I did not know the history of the laces! Many thanks for the detailed information.

Take care,
Ham.