albert "bert" francis (16 august 1874 – 21 september 1913) was born at gumeracha and on leaving school settled at mannum, where he became a boat engineer. he built the steamer "alpha" in 1898 and traded on the upper murray between morgan and renmark. in 1902 he settled at waikerie, where he bought land for fruit-growing. he later built the trading steamers "royal" and "waikerie" (the latter of which he was part-owner with captain william tinks). he was a successful real-estate developer, largely responsible for the township of waikerie. in 1896 he married amelia clara bertha strempel (1874–1972) of mannum.