Joseph Francis Ledger

Sir Joseph Francis Ledger (29 October 1899 – 8 April 1993), widely known as Frank Ledger, was a Western Australian businessman and philanthropist. Knighted in 1963, he supported agricultural development, advocated for sports, and his legacy includes the Sir Frank Ledger Charitable Trust.

Early life Ledger was born on 29 October 1899, in East Perth, Western Australia. He was the third of nine children born to Edson Ledger and Annie Francis née Sumner. At age fourteen, he started an apprenticeship with his father's and uncle's engineering firm J. and E. Ledger, during which he gained diverse skills in general engineering, blacksmithing, and founding.

Ledger enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 4 May 1918, during World War I. The war concluded while he was still training in Victoria, and Ledger was discharged on 24 December. He worked in various engineering fields, including motor vehicles, whilst also attending night classes at Perth Technical School. In 1923, he married Gladys Muriel Lyons (1905–1981).

Later life and legacy In his final years, Sir Frank Ledger was unknowingly placed in financial jeopardy by his grandson Kim Ledger. The management of Sir Frank's estate became the subject of controversy when Kim Ledger claiming that he was rebuilding the family company on his 90yo Grandfather's behalf, had his grandfather sign documents guaranteeing loans totalling millions of dollars in favour of Kim Ledger. The company was in receivership and Sir Frank died on 8 April 1993, aged 92–93 (for he has outlived both his son who died aged 65 two years prior in 1991 and also his wife); unaware he was insolvent. After his death, his home was sold at a mortgagee auction with the proceeds going to the bank that lent Kim Ledger the money.

Ledger's great-grandson was actor Heath Ledger.