The Bissett (also sometimes spelled Bisset) family lived in the Western Suburbs district for most of their lives. Harold’s father, John Greig Bissett was the Post Master at Rookwood for more than twenty years. Harold and his brother, John Greig Bissett played First Grade Cricket for the Western Suburbs Cricket Club. He was also a NSW 880 yds. (half mile) amateur running champion.
Harold played First Grade rugby union with the Wests Club in 1909 and 1910. The Referee newspaper in May 1911 reported that he played half a rugby league pre-season match with Wests. He apparently got cold feet and applied for reinstatement to rugby union. His application was refused and so Harold sat out the 1911 season. Harold was elected to the Western Suburbs Rugby League General Committee in March 1911. The later event may have had a bearing on the Union’s refusal to reinstate him.
He played with Wests Rugby League Club in 1912 and remained with Wests for three seasons. The highlight of his career was playing for NSW against Queensland in 1912 and 1913.
His football career was curtailed by the First World War. Harold joined the 1st AIF and embarked for Gallipoli in April 1915. He served with the 1st Australian Army Casualty Clearing Station from 1915 to 1917. This was a front line medical unit that treated wounded and injured soldiers. Harold was with the 1st AACS at Gallipoli and in France.
In 1917 until his return to Australia in 1919, Harold Bissett was with the Australian Army Pay Corp. The Pay Corp was necessary for the sustenance of soldiers and their families back home.
Harold survived the war without being injured or wounded but was admitted to hospital on a number of occasions with Jaundice, Pyrexia, and Influenza.
