Samuel McPherson was born in New Milnes in Scotland on the 1st January 1892; he was the son of Alexander and Margaret Irvine McPherson Dykes and also had a brother Alex Dykes. Samuel attended Darvel Public School until he graduated; he later migrated to Australia at the age of 18. His occupation prior to enlisting in World War One was a carpenter, and his religion listed as Presbyterian. T the time of his enlistment Samuel was not married or in a relationship (UNSW, 2016).

Samuel Dykes, SN (service number) 41, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the 17th of August 1914. On the 20th of October 1914 he was attached to the 4th Infantry Battalion where he embarked for England. On the 25th of April the 4th Infantry Battalion were involved in the Anzac Gallipoli Campaign; and on 6th of May Samuel suffered a superficial wound. On returning to the front he was again wounded on the 7th of August Samuel was injured in the thigh and shoulder in Lone Pine (Friend, 2017).