Frank Tennyson Perry (1887–1965) was born in Gawler and educated at Prince Alfred College before joining his uncle’s engineering business in 1903. After Samuel Perry’s 1930 death, Frank became chairman and managing director of Perry Engineering.

During the Second World War the firm expanded and Perry served on several boards and committees associated with munitions production. An able manager, Perry was also an influential politician: mayor of St Peters 1933–34, House of Assembly member 1933–38, and leader of the government in the Legislative Council 1947–65. Knighted in 1955 for his service to industry, Perry served local institutions including Prince Alfred College, the University of Adelaide and the Memorial Hospital.