Having been commissioned into the British Army Medical Service his first Imperial tour of service was in India, from thence to a 5-year spell with the Gibraltar garrison, where along with his military duties he acted as the Rock's Medical Officer for Health.
Whilst he was there he also found time to be the Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle and was active in horse-racing and polo matches.

Returning to England in 1890 he was appointed DADG, AMD2 at the War Office, a post which he held until 1902.
In recognition of services during the Second Boer War, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the South African Honours list published on 26 June 1902.

In 1902 he went on a mission to South Africa in the aftermath of the Boer War to see what lessons could be drawn for the Army Medical Service, his paper: Detailed Reports on Sanitary  Conditions relating to the proposed Cantonments & Encampments for the Troops in South Africa was resultant.

In 1904 he was appointed senior medical officer to the North China Command, and during this posting was attached as an observer with the Japanese Army in Manchuria for 2 years during its operations in that region during the Russo-Japanese War.
The results of his experiences produced his Medical & Sanitary Reports from Officers attached to the Japanese Forces in the Field.

On return to England in 1907 he joined the staff of the Director of Military Operations at the War Office.
Tragedy struck in 1907 with the death of his wife, Elizabeth.

In 1910 he was appointed as PMO at Malta, also remarrying this year to Geraldine, the daughter of General Sir John Doran, of Wexford, Ireland.

In 1911 he requested and received the appointment as ADMS to the 4th Quetta Division in India, a post which allowed him to join his only son, who was himself then soldiering at the Quetta Imperial Garrison at the time.
Whilst in Quetta he also held the post of lecturer at its staff college for 3 years.

In early 1914 he returned to England in company with Sir Arthur Sloggett as his deputy on Sloggett's appointment as the director-general of the British Army's Medical Service at the War Office.
Macpherson was in consequence appointed DDG AMS in 1914.
Having been commissioned into the British Army Medical Service his first Imperial tour of service was in India, from thence to a 5-year spell with the Gibraltar garrison, where along with his military duties he acted as the Rock's Medical Officer for Health. Whilst he was there he also found time to be the Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle and was active in horse-racing and polo matches.
Returning to England in 1890 he was appointed DADG, AMD2 at the War Office, a post which he held until 1902. In recognition of services during the Second Boer War, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the South African Honours list published on 26 June 1902.
In 1902 he went on a mission to South Africa in the aftermath of the Boer War to see what lessons could be drawn for the Army Medical Service, his paper: Detailed Reports on Sanitary  Conditions relating to the proposed Cantonments & Encampments for the Troops in South Africa was resultant.
In 1904 he was appointed senior medical officer to the North China Command, and during this posting was attached as an observer with the Japanese Army in Manchuria for 2 years during its operations in that region during the Russo-Japanese War. The results of his experiences produced his Medical & Sanitary Reports from Officers attached to the Japanese Forces in the Field.
On return to England in 1907 he joined the staff of the Director of Military Operations at the War Office. Tragedy struck in 1907 with the death of his wife, Elizabeth.
In 1910 he was appointed as PMO at Malta, also remarrying this year to Geraldine, the daughter of General Sir John Doran, of Wexford, Ireland.
In 1911 he requested and received the appointment as ADMS to the 4th Quetta Division in India, a post which allowed him to join his only son, who was himself then soldiering at the Quetta Imperial Garrison at the time. Whilst in Quetta he also held the post of lecturer at its staff college for 3 years.
In early 1914 he returned to England in company with Sir Arthur Sloggett as his deputy on Sloggett's appointment as the director-general of the British Army's Medical Service at the War Office. Macpherson was in consequence appointed DDG AMS in 1914.
William Macpherson