James McPherson was married to Janet McPherson.

He was part of the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. This battalion was part of the New Armies and formed in August 1914.

The Battalion first arrived in France in May 1915, and McPherson arrived on 9th June 1915. His battalion took part in the biggest British attack of 1915 : The Battle of Loos. McPherson's battalion was part of the 1st wave of the 9th division assault on 25th September 1915.

To help the advance, gas was to be used for the first time by the British army. At 5.50 am the gas cylinders were opened up.

At 6.30 am, the attack was launched. The problem was for the 10th Bn. that the gas stayed above their lines, causing more trouble for their men than for the Germans.

The war diary reported that the first wave was decimated by machine gun, rifle, and shell fire. Thus, the objective was not reached on that day. This assault was a disaster for James and his comrades, by the end of the day 577 casualties were recorded for his battalion only. James was amongst the victims.

James McPherson was considered missing and had been commemorated on Loos Memorial. His body was then found in February 1932 and identified thanks to his identity discs and his boots on which his service number was inscribed. He was reburied in Thiepval Anglo-French cemetery, Somme.