Alan was born in Prospect, South Australia on 13th September 1916, the son of Herbert F and Vera G Archer. He was educated at Primary School Pulteney Grammar, Junior and Senior School at St Peters College.

On leaving school he worked on the family fruit property at Renmark until the outbreak of war in 1939 during which he served in the RAAF as a pilot and attained the rank of Wing Commander. He is a foundation member of the Tanunda RSL.

After the war he and his wife returned to the Barossa and for three and a half years he was district representative for Caltex Oil Company, an occupation which necessitated regular and frequent calls on all wineries in the area, so forming many strong and lasting friendships in the industry.

It was during this period the District Community Christmas Tree and Party was inaugurated, an annual event held on the Nuriootpa Oval, and for sixteen years he performed as Father Christmas at this function.

In 1949 he moved to Adelaide to joint the All-British Motor House as Manager of Commercial Vehicle Division. He remained in the motor vehicle industry until the commencement of Chesser Cellars in 1964 which he managed for ten years organising regular wine tastings and promotions.

He was a Member of the Bacchus Club of Adelaide since 1949 and served for nine years on the Committee and was President in 1959.