Alexander Stephen McPherson was born in Laverton, Vic, and was a Coachpainter when he enlisted in the 24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement on 26 July 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 27 October 1915.

He had already been serving with the 71st Infantry and was allotted to reinforcements for the 24th Battalion. He sailed from Melbourne on October 27th aboard the Ulysses, disembarking in Egypt. In February 1916 he was transferred to the 7th Battalion and reached France at the end of March. He was hospitalised by illness in June but was able to rejoin his battalion in August. He then served through the remainder of the war without significant illness or injury. He returned to Australia on the City of Poona and disembarked at Melbourne on May 14th 1919. He died in November 1928 aged 31.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Alick S. McPherson.