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Gordon, born at Humbug Scrub on 14 May 1913, was the third child and second son of Herman Hissey and Jessie Amelia McKenzie of Sandy Creek.

Growing up in the Sandy Creek community Gordon was a talented and well liked sportsman. He had been Vice Captain of the Sandy Creek Tennis Club, secretary of the Sandy Creek Cricket Club and was voted most brilliant and unselfish player for the Sandy Creek Football Club. In the same year he won the medal in the Gawler B Grade Association. In 1936, the Centenary Year of South Australia, he was a member of the Central Gawler premiership team. A staunch supporter of his church he was appointed teacher of the Sandy Creek Sunday School.

The 27 year old farmer enlisted in Adelaide on 8 June 1940 and was appointed to 2/3 Field Park Company AIF that was forming at Woodside.

Sandy Creek honours District Soldiers

On July 20th, at the Sandy Creek Congregational church, a social evening was held and presentations made to five young men of the district who have enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F., namely, Sapper G. Hissey, Gunner G. Hissey, Pte. D. A. Springbett, Pte. A. B. Speck, and Pte. G. T. Dalby. The church was decorated with flags and wattle, and about 165 people fully enjoyed the evening. The chair was taken by Mr. T. Price of Sandy Creek. Mr. T. Price asked each soldier to accept a gift from the residents of Sandy Creek and district; each responding and expressing their thanks. As all the boys were assembled on the platform the audience rose and sang 'For they are jolly good fellows.' The opportunity was taken to present Sapper G. Hissey with an inscribed wrist-watch from the Sandy Creek Cricket Club as a token of appreciation of his services as secretary of the Club for several years. The President, Mr. D. B. Middlejon,: who made the presentation, spoke of his happy association as a player and of the capable way Gordon had carried out his duties as secretary. He wished him good luck and a safe return. Sapper Hissey suitably responded.

Bunyip, Friday 2 August 1940

On Saturday, July 27th, a family gathering was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. McKenzie of One Tree Hill. The guests of honor were Harry Dawkins, R.A.A.F., Geoff Hissey and Gordon Hissey A.LF. Air Cadet Dawkins left for Point Cook on the Sunday evening following. The guests sat down to a sumptuous tea, and then the evening was enjoyably spent in card playing and remiiniscences. A sit down supper was served, and appropriate toasts were honored. Those present were— Harry Dawkins R.A.A.F., Geoff Hissey 2nd AIF. Gordon Hissey 2nd A.I.F/, Mr. and Mrs. W. McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hissey, Mr. and Mrs. F. Hutchens. Mr. and Mrs. G. McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. M. Hissey, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Hallam, Mr. A. McKenzie, Miss May Hissey, Janet and Rosemary Hallam, John Hissey, Graham, Neil and Ross McKenzie. Bunyip, Friday 9 August 1940

Gawler farewells 20 soldiers; An Enthusiastic Gathering.

Although the public notice was very short, the residents relying on the three short blasts of factory whistles to announce a farewell, the gathering of the people on Thursday night of last week was so large that the Town Hall was not big enough and adjournment was made to the Forester’s Hall to give the needed accommodation . Cr. Lawrence gave welcome to the 'boys', 20 of them being on pre-embarkation leave. Those who were present: — Geoff. Hissey,  Gordon Hissey…………….. . Cr. Lawrence then presented the young diggers with pocket wallets and pencils as a gift from the town. He then invited speeches from the boys. The boys were greeted with musical honours and hearty cheers, and the gathering sang the National Anthem and the Song of Australia. Bunyip, Friday 4 October 1940

On 11 October Gordon entrained for 3 Military District where the 2/3 Field Park Coy established at Puckapunyal. Four months later, on 5 February 1941, Gordon embarked from Port Melbourne aboard HT Mauretania. The voyage, via Fremantle and Bombay, took 30 days before the unit disembarked at Port Tewfik in Egypt on 17 March. The 2/3 Field Park Coy entrained to Hill 69 near Gaza. Diarrhoea was soon prevalent throughout the camp and on 31 March Gordon was evacuated to 1 Australian General Hospital where he spent 10 days recovering from dysentery.

Soldier Gordon Hissey writing abroad to Mrs.W. S. Longmire of Gawler, asked that lady to thank the Gawler Overseas Parcels Fund for a gift he had just received. The letter, date June 24, read “According to the post stamps on the parcel, it was posted last October, so most likely it had travelled over a large part of the world, and I consider myself very fortunate in getting it at all. I found enclosed a Christmas card, and although it is a little late for Christmas I do appreciate the greetings, and once again I say Thank You. Soon after our arrival here I was able to visit Geoff and most of the other Gawler boys, but the boys are all split up again now and I have no idea when I might meet up with them again.

 Bunyip, Friday 1 August 1941

On 10 August 2/3 Field Park Coy moved out in convoy from Hill 69 for a 107 mile drive to Haifa in Syria. Gordon was the driver of a Ford Car DS with the Commanding Office (Major Harris), the Company Sergeant Major (Banks) and the batman Schmitt as his passengers.

SAPPER GORDON HISSEY WRITES FROM ABROAD.

Was in Palestine, but now in Syria.

Mrs. Springbett, of Allendale Farm, Sandy Creek, gave us the following from a letter received by her from Sapper G. W. Hissey, written on August 10. ''Since leaving old Aussie I have realised there is no place quite up to the old stamping ground and I assure you I will be pleased when able to visit your place again. ”Gordon mentioned that he was writing with the pen given him by the Sandy Creek people, and his watch was still going strong as a reminder of the Sandy Creek Cricket Club. “You know we were landed in Palestine but have been in Syria for a while. I am in extra-good health now but was in hospital a few months ago. Nothing serious ,just a bit of internal trouble — blew a gasket, I think !  I met Geoff several times, as well as most of the other Gawler boys, so things actually are not as bad as they might be. I have been trying to get in touch with Doug, but he is in Tobruk. It may be a while before I see him. I had a letter from a chap at Tobruk ; he said life there is pretty good, so I don't think there is anything to worry about.

At first I thought Palestine was really a wonderful place; I suppose it is, but I have seen enough of it now. I have visited most of the interesting places in the country, but Jerusalem seems to be more historic than anywhere else. One really has to visit the holy places to understand just what did happen. The most beautiful building there is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Tel Aviv is a very fine city, very modern, and is wholly Jewish. The only trouble is the Jews are always trying to take us down. I don't mind admitting I would not mind being taken down by some of the little Jewesses; they are very nice but do not have much to do with the Aussies. It costs a lot to get about here, and by the end of the week we are all broke. In Syria we have the Froggies for company; and for closer company we have spiders and scorpions. We would not mind them so much if they would not persist in crawling into our beds at nights; but I am not going to grizzle until I get bitten. The country is more interesting than Palestine: a mountainous place with several very fine ruins about.  It is a wonder to me how we were able to get the French out of it at all. This shows the spirit of the A.I.F.  We are camped in a nice place with mountains all round us, the highest of which is over 10,000 feet high. Snow all the year round. In a few weeks we will know what cold weather, really is. It will be a change, as of late it has been very hot and sultry. Bunyip, Friday 17 October 1941

On Boxing Day 1941 Gordon attended the Motor Transport Wing AIF for a 4 week Driver and Maintenance Course in which he qualified. After a move to Cheka, Syria, the 2/3 Field Park Coy moved to the Biet Jirja camp in Palestine and on February 1 1942 entrained for Gaza. Three days later Gordon boarded SS Westmoreland without knowing the final destination. Eventually SS Westmoreland docked at Outer Harbour on 18 March. From a camp at Payneham Gordon was sent on 7 days leave.

After reassembling Gordon and the 2/3FPCoy moved to East Oakleigh, Victoria where, on 3 June 1942, Gordon was promoted to Corporal. Although no details are available Gordon injured his right thigh and was evacuated to a casualty clearing station at Dandelong. It would be 17 days before he was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his unit. On 4 February 1943 Gordon embarked from Port Melbourne aboard SS Ormiston and disembarked in Cairns on 24 February. The unit entrained for Rocky Creek and the following day began construction of a 600 bed hospital. In June the unit moved to Wongabel.

3FPCoy was deployed to New Guinea on 17 October 1943. After a 4 day voyage on “Duntroon” Gordon disembarked at Buna. Gordon served in New Guinea for 7 months before embarking from Lae, again on “Duntroon”, and disembarking in Townsville on 9 June 1944. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 27 October 1945 but would relinquish that rank before he was discharged. In December 1946 Gordon returned to South Australia and was discharged at Hamstead on 18 April 1946.

Final Welcome Home Social at Sandy Creek: Ex-servicemen Entertained

Nearly 200 attended the final Welcome Home-Social and dance at Sandy Creek on Saturday night when 8 ex-servicemen were welcomed. The social was preceded by a dinner in honour of servicemen of the district and to this 22 guests attended in addition to the Chairman of the Barossa District Council, Mr. G.K.G. Warren, the President of the Welcome Home Committee, Mr. T. Price, D.C.M., who acted as Toast Master, Messrs. H.G. Paternoster and H. Kies, members of the Committee. The fine dinner was served in the Sandy Creek hall by women workers of the district. The toast to the returned servicemen was proposed by Mr. Warren and Mr. R. Needle (ex-RAAF) responded. Mr. W.D.B. Middleton, on behalf of the Sandy Creek people, welcomed the guests. Sgt. Dalby replied. He expressed appreciation of the work of the Red Cross and Allied Bodies who had saved thousands of lives through making supplies available to the men when most needed. Addresses of appreciation were presented to each serviceman who was farewelled from Sandy Creek. A vote of thanks to the hosts was proposed by Mr. Gordon Hissey and seconded by Mr. Keith Gobell. In all 36 men have been welcomed at Sandy Creek and these names will appear on an Honour Roll.

HONOUR  ROLL

Names of Sandy Creek Ex Servicemen to appear on the Honour Roll; Geoff Hissey, Gordon Hissey, John Hissey, Laurie Hissey, Tom Berrett, M. Grivel, K. Gobell, S. Wilson, C. Paine, W. Martin R. Needle, R. Brady, M. Sires M. Springbett. D. Hughes, D. Tozer R.Warner, R. Marshall R. Tomley, J. Skurray, T. Dalby, E Bruhn R. Gobell. Bunyip, Friday 20 September 1946

In May 1946 Gordon was appointed Meat Inspector in the Commonwealth Meat Department. He married Betty Brownfield Taylor and the couple had one child Janet, born in 1949. Gordon retired from the Department of Customs and Excise as Senior Inspector (Class7) on 29 July 1974. Gordon died on 31 December 1984 and is buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery, West, Rose Bed W63 Position 62. He was 71 years old.