Thomas Bisset, a native of Peterhead, Abderdeenshire, was born about 1893, the son of Peter Bisset, a publican and his wife Elsie.

In 1913, while employed as a 'postboy' he married Jessie Wallace, a domestic servant.  The couple resided at 16 Chapel Street.  In 1914 he appears as a new recruits in the Buchan Observer list of Territorials who volunteered for active service.

The notification of his award of the DCM was published in the London Gazette on 22nd October, 1917. The DCM citation was published in the Supplement to the London Gazette on 26th January, 1918 (page 1291).

The DCM citation details are;

“For conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty, when his platoon commander was wounded he took command, and led the men forward to the enemy’s trench under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He afterwards again lead them forward with the leading company and attacked a farm under heavy machine gun fire, capturing 60 prisoners.

He displayed the utmost gallantry and determination throughout the day.”

The award of the Military Medal was notified in the London Gazette of 30th January, 1920. Bisset’s award is included with others for services when a Prisoner Of War. Bisset was captured during the German Spring Offensive of 1918, and spent five months as a POW.

In the inter-war years, Bisset worked outside of his native Scotland. Firstly, he served with the Royal Irish Constabulary, as a member of the (Black and Tans) during the Irish War of Independence. Later he worked in Detroit, USA and then moved to Canada in the late 1930's where he was employed as a trucker.

After the outbreak of war in 1939, Bisset joined the Canadian Army, enlisting with the Toronto Scottish Machine Gun Battalion for overseas service. He subsequently served as an Officer's batman when the regiment moved to England in 1940.