William Davidson Bissett
Lieutenant, 1/6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)
- Register No.
- 94 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1/6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) (register: Princess Louises's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)) all Princess Louises's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) VCs →
- Date of action
- 25 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th January 1990 on this day → all of 1990 →
- Born
- 7th August 1893 at St Martin's, Perthshire, Scotland
- Died
- 12th May 1971 at Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales
- Memorial / grave
- at Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire
- Medal held by
- the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Digest of citation
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 Bisset mounted the railway embankment under heavy fire and, calling for a bayonet charge, drove back the enemy with heavy loss and again charge forward, establishing the line and saving a critical situation
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BISSETT, William Davidson. (Reg. No. 94).
Lieutenant 1/6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)
London Gazetted on 6th January 1990.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum.
Born on 7th August 1893 at St Martin's, Perthshire, Scotland.
Died on 12th May 1971 at Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales.
Memorial on grave at Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire.
Digest of Citation reads: 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 Bisset mounted the railway embankment under heavy fire and, calling for a bayonet charge, drove back the enemy with heavy loss and again charge forward, establishing the line and saving a critical situation.
Additional information Major Bissett also held the Croix de Guerre avec Palme ( France). He served in the second world war with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Pioneer Corps.
Additional information
avec Palme ( France). He served in the second world war with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Pioneer Corps.
Museum.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour William Davidson Bissett by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.