William John Rogers was an important member of the Katanning community and a very successful retailer who began with modest premises and expanded into his larger Central Store.
Born in Colchester, United Kingdom, on 4 Jun 1862. William John married Hannah Mary Pinkerton and they had seven children.
In 1901, William arrived in Katanning, Western Australia, and set about establishing his store. He purchased CA Harris’s Central Store in Clive Street and, by 1904, Rogers was ready to build his own much larger premises. In July 1904 the new two-storey brick building was built. It had two entrances from Clive Street and three big windows for the drapery, boots, ironmongery and groceries. There was also provision for a big storeroom on the ground floor and on the top floor, there were an extensive showroom and spacious living quarters for the family.
His store has historical significance and social significance, being one of the largest retailers in the Great Southern at the time and the building still adds to the streetscape of Clive Street, with its various retail stores.

Description: A light-brown body on a black chassis; maroon seat with black cab and tilt cover; gold 12 spoke wheels; white lettering and lining; load consists of tilt cover with billboards on the sides.

Variations: Billboards on van sides can vary. (Colmans Mustard; Beaches Jams; Rowntrees Cocoa; Hudsons Soap on near side, Bermaline Bread; Volvolutim-Mrs 'V' Soap; Ogdens St Julien Tobacco on far side).

Notes: This model is packaged in either a maroon J-type window box or a straw-style window box.