William Solomon CISSMAN
Per his military service record (regimental no. 1706), William Solomon Cissman was born at Waterloo, Sydney, New South Wales. He gave his age as 33 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 4 inches tall, weight 131 lbs., with a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.
His name was listed as one of the men who joined the Coo-ees at Wellington in the Wellington Times.[1] He completed his medical at Wellington on 16th October 1915, and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Mumbil on 19th October 1915. He claimed to have no previous military service. He is recorded as having been an apprentice jockey for 5 years on his service record.
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Menangle Light Horse Camp as reinforcement for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.
His initial regimental number was recorded as 2313 in his service record, but this has been crossed out and replaced with number 1706. His statement of service records he was transferred to the 8th Reinforcement of the 12th Light Horse Regiment on 1st February 1916.
Private Cissman was charged with being absent from all parades without leave on 18th March 1916, for which he forfeited 1 days pay, was fined 1£, and was confined to barracks for 14 days.
On his embarkation roll his address as time of enrolment was Waterloo, Sydney, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his brother, John Alfred Cissman, at the same address.
On 5th May 1916 Trooper Cissman departed Sydney on the HMAT Karroo A10, as 8th reinforcement for the 12th Light Horse Regiment, arriving in Egypt on the 7th June 1916. (Private Arthur Ernest McGregor also embarked on the same ship).
After arriving in Egypt he was taken on strength by the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir on 24th June 1916.
On 15th July 1916 Trooper Cissman was taken on strength of the Imperial Camel Corps at Tel-el-Kebir.
On 2nd August 1916 he was admitted to No. 2 Stationary Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir.
On 3rd August 1916 he was taken on strength of the Imperial Camel Corps at Moascar, from Hospital.
On 30th August 1916 Trooper Cissman was charged with being absent without leave from 0540 on 26th August 1916 till 0800 on 30th August 1916. He was awarded 7 days confined to barracks and fined 5 days pay.
On 1st September 1916 Trooper Cissman was admitted to the 24th Stationary Hospital with Club Foot. On 3rd September 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Cairo with Talipus Varus.
Trooper Cissman departed at Suez, Egypt aboard the Hospital Ship Kanowna on 23rd September 1916, commencing his return to Australia, for discharge with Talipus Varus.
He arrived in Australia on 28th October 1916, and was discharged medically unfit on 7th December 1916.
[1] ‘Hitchen’s Coo-ees’, Wellington Times, 18 October 1915, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143388424
1915 Coo-ee March 