Arthur William McPherson was born in Melbourne and was a Coach Painter living in Ballarat when he enlisted in the 24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement on 12 July 1915 at the age of 20. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 27 October 1915. In February 1916 while at Zeitoun in Egypt, he was transferred to the 7th Battalion with which he moved to France at the end of March. He was wounded in action on October 4th 1917 when he sustained a severe gunshot wound to his right knee joint. He was evacuated to hospital in France and then transferred to St. Anselms Hospital at Walmer in England. The first notification his family received was dated 22/10/17 æREPORTED PRIVATE ARTHUR MCPHERSON DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED WILL FURNISH PROGRESS REPORT'. He was no longer fit for active service and was returned to Australia on the Borda, disembarking at Melbourne on May 30th 1918.

His brother, Alexander Stephen McPherson, 7th Battalion (Tree No. 3250) also served.
Tree No. 945