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It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Stan Bisset a veteran of the 2/14 th Battalion who lost his brother Butch at Isurava. Stan passed away at the age of 98 on the Sunshine Coast.
A couple of years back we were invited to meet with Stan and his wife Gloria at his home on the Sunshine Coast. Immediately, I really liked Stan who came across as having a great sense of humour; was much taller then I had imagined and who was just so passionate about everything.
At the time we met, Russell Eroro and Eric Uwea were with me and he made them feel so welcome along with Gloria as guests in their home. He greeted them with a bear hug and later showed them photographs of his trip to PNG to visit Owers' Corner. Eric immediately recognised several of his relatives which broke the ice and allowed the PNG guides to open up and start talking with him about the war. Stan responded immediately and before long him and Russell were talking about various tracks around Isurava and other areas like the war had only happened the day before such was his memory. A bystander like myself, at the time 'new' to the Kokoda Trekking industry, it was like hearing about the war from a veteran who was there and a fuzzy wuzzy angel of today who could relate to what he was talking about as Russell grew up in Kokoda and could relate to all the areas he was referring to.
During our visit Stan took us to a room he put aside for photographs of trekkers and other items such as his beloved 'Wallaby Union Cap' obviously a keepsake from the time he was selected to represent Australian in England and was just so proud of being the oldest living Wallaby. He even allowed the guys to try on his cap which was a thrill for them and him too I think at the time as I recall the smile on his face.
On the wall we could not help but notice quite a few group photographs of our trekkers and realised at that point that once received he did not just put them in storage but proudly displayed them on a wall in his home. He informed us just how proud he felt that people were walking in their footsteps especially the young as he commented it would be them who will help keep the memory of what they did for Australia alive.
When we returned to PNG, we received a lovely hand written letter from him, 'yes' handwritten on 2/14th letterhead saying how much he enjoyed the visit. In this day and age, a handwritten letter is a rarity and we still have his letter as a keepsake from meeting a truly remarkable man. I know this was typical of his generation but it was still an honor to receive his letter and to know he had enjoyed our visit as much as we enjoyed meeting him and his wife Gloria.
I can still recall during our meeting Stan asking me to pass on to our trekkers that no matter what they ate on the track, they will be eating a damn sight better then the 2/14th. He told us that as Butch lay in his arms, he asked him to sing to him!
At the time of our visit, Gloria informed us that what kept Stan busy was the editing he continually did for publications about Kokoda to make sure the facts were in fact correct. I was surprised by this and could not help but think how at 93 years, he was still able to read through and edit books.
A truly remarkable man, and a person who touched us deeply. May he rest in peace.
Pic_1.jpegTributes to the late Stan Bisset can be read by clicking on the following links. I only wish I had the ability to write like Patrick Lindsay as his words echo the way I personally felt after having met Stan. Once again our sincere condolences to Gloria and family members following his passing last night.
http://www.kokodatrackfoundation.org/news-…-1912-2010.html
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/rugby-u…6-1225934926501
http://www.news.com.au/rugby-unions-oldest…6-1225934926501
http://sunshine-coast.finda.com.au/feature…egend-of-rugby/
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/o…1006-167pm.html
Stanley Young BISSET – Funeral Arrangement for anyone wishing to attend.
BISSET Stanley Young, MC, OAM, mis Of Peregian Springs Qld. Passed away peacefully on the 5th of October 2010. Aged 98 Years. Loved Husband of Gloria. Loved Father and Father-in-law and Step- father of Tom, Christine, Holly, Norm, Sally, Bill, Jamie, Glenys, Roz and Rodney. Much loved Grandfather of Kate, Charlie, Emily, George, Jessie, Amy, Fiona, Tom, Daniel, Tom, Sam and Jamieson, their Spouses and Great- grandchildren and remembered by Shirley. Relatives and Friends are warmly invited to attend Stan's Funeral Service to be held at the Drysdale Chapel, Noosa Cooroy Road, Tewantin commencing at 2 p.m. on Tuesday the 12th of October 2010. DRYSDALE FUNERALS Tewantin – (07) 5449 9383
A truely great tribute written by Patrick Lindsay on a remarkable and magnificent Australian who will be sadly missed by many.
My sincere condolences to Gloria and family members who I have only indirectly come to know through a former work colleague, fellow Kokoda trekker, and current President of the 2/14th Battalion Association, Michael Ralston.
Geoff Hardie
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