William Davidson Bissett
Major William Davidson Bissett VC (7 August 1893 – 12 May 1971) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
William Davidson Bissett | |
|---|---|
 William Davidson Bissett VC in 1918 | |
| Born | 17 August 1893 St Martins, Perthshire |
| Died | 12 May 1971 (aged 77) Wrexham, Wales |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Royal Army Ordnance Corps Royal Pioneer Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Croix de Guerre avec Palme (France) |
Early life
Bissett was born at St Martins, Perthshire, on 7 August 1893. He was the elder son of John Bissett, a plumber, and Helen Davidson Bissett, of 18 Strathmore Street, Bridgend, Perthshire.[1]
Military career
Bissett was commissioned second lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 19 December 1916.[2]
He was a 25 year old, lieutenant in the 1/6th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
"On 25 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."[3]
He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre, in December 1919.[4]
During the Second World War, Bissett served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps[5] and Royal Pioneer Corps, and was granted the honorary rank of major on retirement in September 1945.[6]
Bissett died in Wrexham on 12 May 1971. After cremation, his ashes were buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery in Aldershot Military Town, Hampshire, England. [7]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle, Scotland.[7]
References
- "William D Bissett VC". vconline.org.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- "No. 29909". The London Gazette. 19 January 1917. p. 761.
- "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 January 1919. p. 306.
- "No. 31688". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 December 1919. p. 15578.
- "No. 35017". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 December 1940. p. 7098.
- "No. 37279". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1945. p. 4736.
- "Grave locations for holders of the Victoria Cross in Hampshire". .victoriacross.org.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
Bibliography
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- Gliddon, Gerald (2014) [2000]. The Final Days 1918. VCs of the First World War. Stroud, Gloucestershire: History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-5368-9.