Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch British Army Rank Major Awards Victoria Cross | Name William Bissett Role Armed force officer | |
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Buried at Headstone at Aldershot Military Cemetery
(Cremated in Pentre Bychan, Wrexham) Battles/wars World War I
World War II Died May 12, 1971, Wrexham, United Kingdom Unit Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Pioneer Corps Similar People John Thompson McKellar, Alfred Joseph Richards, Bertram Best‑Dunkley, John Lynn, Harold John Colley | ||
Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
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.
Bissett was 25 years old, and a 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."
He also served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Royal Pioneer Corps in World War II and achieved the rank of major.
Bissett's ashes are buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery in Aldershot Military Town, Hampshire, England.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle, Scotland.