James enlisted as a bombardier with the Royal Marine Artillery on the 6th February 1878. He served for twenty years, becoming a marksman and seeing action during the Egyptian Campaign of 1882, when he was attached to H.M.S. Superb, being a member of a battalion of R.M.A. landed as part of the expeditionary force under Sir Garnet Wolseley. He was discharged with the rank of Colour Sergeant on 11th January 1900, having spent the final two years as an Instructor to the 1st Ayr and Galloway Volunteer Artillery, based at Stranraer. After his discharge James worked as a tramcar driver in Aberdeen, before moving to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he eventually became Chief Inspector of Tramways.

      At the outbreak of the Great War, James, now fifty-nine enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was the next day appointed as R.S.M. He was a strict disciplinarian, but with the interests of his men firmly at heart. He was respected by officers and other ranks alike, and in later years those who had served with him were delighted to talk of 'Old man Mac'. A Captain who served with James, speaking to his grandson, George Colin McPherson, related: "after some distance on a route march, led by the Commanding Officer, Colonel Ritson, who was mounted, turned to James asking 'are you tired R.S.M.?" to which he replied "not as tired as your horse, Sir'. At this the Colonel dismounted and continued on foot."

      James died on the 4th December 1929 aged 74 and was buried at Heaton Cemetery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Former colleagues from his military and civilian careers, led by Colonel Ritson attended his funeral. His widow Mary Anne, who could not face a repeat of the funeral of her eldest son, James Alexander, refused a full military funeral.

      Pictured with R.S.M. McPherson, are three of his sons. The eldest James A. (b. 27th Jan 1881) stands to his left. He served with the Hampshire Regiment from 1900 to 1906, and was a veteran of the Boer War, seeing action in Cape Colony, Transvaal and Orange Free State. After sailing the world as a ship's cook he returned to the colours at the outbreak of the Great War. He was wounded at the Dardanelles and died as a result of his injuries in Northumberland in 1919.

      Standing to his father's right is Gordon (b. 3rd Aug 1892) of the 7th Cameron Highlanders, who became a Lance Corporal with the machine gun section. Gordon was killed in action at the Battle of Loos, France, on the 25th Sep 1915, aged 23, being shot through the head whilst working his gun. On this day the 7th Camerons lost 548 men during the fight to capture and then hold Hill 70.

      Seated is Charles Richard (b. 4th Jul 1901), aged 14, a bugler in his father's regiment. He enlisted on 5th July 1915, giving a false age in order that Gordon would receive an extra day's leave. Gordon never received his day¼s leave. When his mother informed the War Office of his age, Charles was discharged after 2 years 84 days in the Army Reserve, before he could be sent to the Front. He could not face the possible loss of another son.