John Bisdee


John Hutton Bisdee, was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life and family

Bisdee was born on 28 September 1869 at Hutton Park, Melton Mowbray, Tasmania.
In 1904 he married Georgiana Thodosia Hale who was the daughter of Bishop Matthew Blagden Hale.

Military service

When Bisdee was 30 years old, and a trooper with the Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen during the Second Boer War, the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.
Bisdee returned to Tasmania in 1902, and received the Victoria Cross from the Governor during a review in Hobart on 11 August 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII.
He later served as a lieutenant colonel in the First World War, where he was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches.

Later life

He died on 14 January 1930 and was buried in the St James Churchyard, Jericho, Tasmania. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart.