Henry Falle Bisson was born on 27th June 1890 in Southampton, Hampshire. He was the son of a sailor and his father John Edouard Bisson had drowned at sea in 1915.
Henry was working as a baker when he enlisted into the Royal Navy on 7th July 1908 as a Boy 2nd Class with the service number SS2509.
In 1912 his service number was changed from his special service number to his permanent one of J.21309.
Before the outbreak of World War One Henry served on a variety of ships and shore bases.
During the First World War Henry served aboard HMS Achates - a destroyer - from 14th March 1913 – 31st March 1915, at HMS Vernon - torpedo school - from 12th May 1915 – 7th August 1915, and on HMS Princess Margaret - minelayer - from 8th August 1915 - 20th August 1920.
HMS Princess Margaret was a converted passenger liner and she had the capacity to hold 500 mines.
She conducted many mine laying operations throughout the war and was renowned for her expertise in laying quick mine fields.
By the end of the war, Princess Margaret had laid 25,242 mines, which was more than any other Royal Navy ship during the war.
During her service during the Russian Civil War and the Baltic, The Princess Margaret delivered supplies, including rifles, to the newly formed Estonian army at the port of Reval in November 1918.
In December 1918, Princess Margaret together with the cruiser Ceres and two destroyers were deployed to Latvia.
Acting on some disturbing news, the minelayer, HMS Princess Margaret berthed at Riga on 19th December 1918, where she landed her marines on 27th December who, accompanied by an armed party from H.M.S. Ceres, marched through the town.
The ships found the city in danger of capture by advancing Bolshevik forces.
The following day frightened British subjects began to arrive on board. On 29th December it was heard that a Lettish Regiment had mutinied, and arrangements were made for the defence of the approaches to H.M. vessels by the aid of search lights, and the use of star and lyddite shells.
Even more refugees joined Princess Margaret that night, bringing the total on board to 392 souls, 143 men, 169 women and 80 children - mainly British, Allied and civilians. From 30th December to 3rd January 1919 armed parties were constantly landed to police the town and so ward off menacing parties.
The force left Riga on 3rd January 1919, shortly before the city was captured by the Red Army.
Princess Margaret sailed for Copenhagen, where two days later she landed some of the refugees prior to her passage to the United Kingdom where the remainder were disembarked.
She returned to minelaying duties and in company with the minelaying destroyers of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla, reaching Reval at the end of June.
Princess Margaret and the minelaying destroyers laid minefields to protect the British base at Reval from potential attacks by Russian ships.
When the German-controlled West Russian Volunteer Army attacked Riga, refugees from the fighting, including members of the British Missions, were embarked aboard Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret returned to Britain in December 1919.
Henry continued to serve in the Royal Navy and was pensioned to shore on 6th June 1930 and was enlisted into the Royal Fleet Reserve the next day.
He was recalled for the Munich Crisis and was recalled for service during World War Two on 31st July 1939 as an Able Seaman Pensioner serving at: HMS Vernon, on HMS Aurora - light cruiser - from 15th February 1940 – 20th June 1940, on HMS Maidstone - Submarine Depot Ship - from 10th August 1940 until the end of the war.
From November 1942, HMS Maidstone was based at Algiers Harbour, the main Allied base in the Mediterranean. In November 1943 it was assigned to the Eastern Fleet.
In September 1944 Maidstone and the 8th Submarine Flotilla were transferred from Ceylon to Fremantle in Western Australia to operate in the Pacific. Henry was discharged on 27th August 1945 from HMS Vernon.
Henry died in 1964 in Southampton.