William Davidson Bissett
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William Davidson Bissett, VC, Croix de Guerre avec Palme (France) (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.
He 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.
Served with Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Royal Pioneer Corps in World War II. He later achieved the rank of major.
Bissett is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery in Aldershot Military Town, Hampshire, England.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Stirling Castle, Scotland.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)
