Percival received his medical education at Durham University, qualifying M.B. in 1893. He served in the South African War, from 1900 to 1901, as a Civil Surgeon attached to the Imperial Yeomanry, and was present at operations in the Orange River Colony, May to 29th November 1900; the operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River; the operations in the Transvaal 30th November 1900 to March 1901, and April to May 1901; the operations in Orange River Colony, March to April, 1901; and the operations in Cape Colony, January 1901.  For his services he was Mentioned in Despatches [LG 10/9/1901]: received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [LG 27/9/1901]: "Percival Davidson, Captain (Medical Officer), 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.  In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".  Also in 1901 he was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle-on-Tyne.  He joined the R.A.M.C. at the rank of Lieutenant on 1st September 1902, then served in India from 1903 to 1909. During this time, on 1st March 1906, he gained promotion to the rank of Captain. In 1911 he became a specialist in physical training, then gained promotion again to the rank of Major on 1st June 1914.  Percival entered the war in France on 27th August 1914, as the Medical Officer for the Third Army Corps Headquarters. From 15th January 1917 to 14th January 1919 he served under the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel, during which time he served in the posts of Assistant Director of Medical Services, First Army from 15th June 1917 to 23rd July 1918, and Assistant Director of Medical Services, General Headquarters from 24th July 1918 to 14th January 1919. On 14th January 1916 he was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, and on 3rd June 1918 gained the rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. On 21st August 1919 he was awarded the Portuguese Military Order of Avis, 3rd Class. From 1919 - 1923 he became the Officer Commanding a Training Establishment, then in 1923 went to serve in Bermuda. He gained promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on 21st June 1924, then retired with pay on 16th April 1929. He died in Switzerland. He was the son of Percival Davidson.