b. 17/03/1893 St Martins, Perthshire. d. 12/05/1971 Wrexham, Wales
William Davidson Bissett (1893-1971) was born at St Martin’s, Perthshire on 7th August 1893. He was the elder son of John Bissett, a plumber, and Helen Davidson Bissett, of 18 Strathmore Street, Bridgend, Perthshire. His siblings were John and Jane.
William D Bissett VC
During the First World War he was awarded the VC at the age of 25-years-old when he was a Lieutenant in the 1/6th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s).
On 25th October 1918 east of Maing, France, Lieutenant Bissett was commanding a platoon, but owing to casualties took command of the company and handled it with great skill when an enemy counter-attack turned his left flank. Realising the danger he withdrew to the railway, but the enemy continued to advance and when the ammunition was exhausted Lieutenant Bissett mounted the railway embankment under heavy fire and, calling for a bayonet charge, drove back the enemy with heavy loss and again charged forward, establishing the line and saving a critical situation.
He also served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Royal Pioneer Corps in World War II and achieved the rank of Major. Bissett died on 14th May 1971 in Wrexham, Wales, and was cremated at Pentrebychan Crematorium, and his ashes were interred in Aldershot Military Cemetery. His medals were donated to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ARGYLL&SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM, STIRLING
BURIAL PLACE: ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY, ALDERSHOT, HANTS. ASHES INTERRED.
Acknowledgements:
Thomas Stewart – Bissett VC Grave at Aldershot Military Cemetery
Kevin Brazier – Cemetery Map
Andy Wright – Medal group image Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling.