John Hamilton's Story.
John Hamilton Bisson was born in Birkenhead, in 1894, the son of John George Bisson and Elizabeth Bisson. His father had been born in Liverpool, in 1858, and his mother had been born in Birkenhead, in 1862, and the couple married in 1888. In 1901, John George Bisson was a Master Mariner, and his wife and then 5 children, were living at 2,Clifton Road, Birkenhead. The 5 children were: Eveline Bisson (born in 1891); Elsie Bisson (born in 1892); Ada Bisson (born in 1893); John Bisson (born in 1894); and Alice Bisson (born in 1896). They also had a General Domestic Servant. By 1911, Elizabeth Bisson was living at 87, The Woodlands, Birkenhead, and John George Bisson was away at sea. Living with her were 4 of her children: Eveline, Ada, John, and Alice, and she also employed General Domestic Servant Mary Alice Williams. Eveline Bisson was employed as a Teacher; Ada Bisson was employed as a Typist at Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight; John had been educated at Ashford House School, Birkenhead, and then went into the employ of Messrs. John Holt & Co., African Merchants, Liverpool; and Alice was still at school.
In October 1914, John Hamilton Bisson enlisted at Birkenhead, into the Denbigh Hussars Yeomanry (No.721), and volunteered for overseas service. While he was undergoing training, his mother passed away on 12th October 1915. Trooper Bisson was sent to France on 20th September 1916, and was sent to an Infantry Base Depot, from where he was transferred to 1st Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, and issued his new regimental number – 26738. Private Bisson almost certainly joined this battalion at Meaulte. He was killed in action on 12th October 1916, when his battalion was in support of an attack on Zenith Trench, south east of Gueudecourt. His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier and Face 12a and 12d, The Thiepval Memorial, France. At the time of his death, his family were living at “Wynnstay”, 22, Kingsland Road, Birkenhead, and his father was away at sea, and had not had any notification of his son’s death.
His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
He is also commemorated on the family tombstone in Bebington Cemetery.
John Hamilton Bisson was a close friend of 2852 Private John Cassells Ross, “Y” Coy. 1st/10th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment (commemorated on the Birkenhead war memorial), who was killed in action at Hooge, Belgium, on 16th June 1915. Another close friend was 2885 Rifleman Cecil Leslie Evans, who had joined the Denbigh Hussars Yeomanry with him, and who had also transferred to the 1st/5th Bn. King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, who caught a chill, which worsened, and he died on 21st April 1916 (he is not commemorated on the Birkenhead war memorial).
Family application form requesting John to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.