CASUALTY 1914/15 TRIO PTE G BISSETT SEAFORTHS

CASUALTY 1914/15 TRIO PTE G BISSETT SEAFORTHS who as a youth played football for Scotland against England Correctly impressed - S/2456 Pte G Bissett Sea Highrs Condition NEF Gavin Bissett was born in Bathgate, Linlithgowshire and lived in Bellshill. He landed in France with the 1st Battalion on 21st January 1915. He was sadly killed in action on 9th May 1915 and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. The Bellshill Speaker on Friday 21st May 1915 published the following article. 'It is much regret that we intimate to our readers that Private Gavin Bisset 2456, 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders' well-known Bellshill lad, has been killed in action. Lieut. Banken, the officer commanding Private Bissett's company, writes to the wife of the deceased, who resides at Hosevale Place, North Road, Bellshiil. Follows: -"I much regret to have to inform you that your husband, 2456 Private G. Bissett, was killed in action Sunday, 9th May. I sympathise deeply with you in your sad loss, which is shared with you by his friends in the regiment. It will,' I hope, be some consolation to you to know that he died, as a soldier should, assaulting the enemy's trenches.' ' Private is the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Bissett, Cross Mansions, Bellshill, and he was a well-known and widely-popular personality in this town. As a youth was a most enthusiastic footballer, and achieved the highest honours in junior football, being selected to play for Scotland against England. As a junior, he was a prominent player with Athletic and made innumerable friends amongst the followers of the national pastime. He enlisted on the outbreak of war and was once stationed at Cromarty, from whence he went direct to the front.' At least three local soldiers, who were serving beside Private Bissett, have written home within the past few days, stating that Private Bissett had been wounded, now the semi-official note from the Lieutenant states that has been killed. Much sympathy will be expressed with the parents and wife and family of the deceased soldier. Mr Bissett, sen., is a most active worker in the Macdonald Memorial Church, where he has fulfilled many important duties'