Michael Terry served in the Great War 1917 - 1918 (RNAS Armoured Cars, with foreign service in Russia, and was Captured by Bolsheviks at Kursk in Russia). He migrated to Perth in 1918 and was the leader of fourteen inland Australia expeditions between 1923 and 1935, mainly working for Adelaide mining companies seeking minerals.

He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Geographical Society of Australia and author of many books describing his exploratory travels in Australia. The National Library of Australia holds press cuttings, books and photographs ? Donated by Charlotte Bernard (his biographer).