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Geoffrey, born at Sister Green’s Nursing Home, Gawler, on 14 February 1916, was the fourth child and third son of Herman Hissey and Jessie Amelia McKenzie of Sandy Creek. Geoff was a keen tennis player and later a key player for the Sandy Creek Cricket Club. As a youth he was an enterprising young lad who grew up on the family farm at Sandy Creek.

Geoff Hissey, of Sandy Creek School, is regarded as an industrious and enterprising project worker, and we publish his carefully compiled account below. “Since last year I have carried on my home project successfully. As I started keeping White Leghorns last year, I was in debt while the chickens and pullets were eating but not laying. Soon after the hens began laying I made a profit. I had only three hens and a rooster then. Since I have purchased several settings of eggs and generally the majority of them came out. My teacher helped me to get orders for chicks, so I resolved to hatch as many as I could. I bought a setting from my teacher, and set them under my mother's hens. I got 25 out and sold 23 as week-old chicks for 1/ each. My teacher also sold two pullets at 5/ each for me. I feed them in the morning on bran and pollard mash made of two parts pollard and one part bran. I think that a morning mash is best, because it gives the hen all day to scratch for hard grain. The exercise of scratching helps to digest the mash quickly. I give them as much grain as they wish to eat, because I discovered that White Leghorns when laying cannot be overfed. I feed the greenfeed separately. My weekly average of eggs is between 20 and 25. This year I intend making a much larger house. I purchased my birds from my teacher, because he has the best strain of whites he could procure. Two of his hens and a rooster took first prize in the Adelaide and Melbourne Royal Shows. I stick to the one strain. To date I can show a profit of £2 9/10, after paying my debt of £1 15/11 from last year.” Project Leader's Note— “This boy is getting along very nicely, and deserves every encouragement.” S. Simcock, Sandy Creek. Chronicle, Saturday 4 June 1927

Geoffrey has shown clearly that it is not impossible for a boy attending a high school to continue with a home project and to earn while he learns. Geoff, says, “I have carried on with my poultry project since 1927. I left the high school this year and commenced working for Mr L. W. Hallum. My employer is a poultry farmer, and is also the poultry project leader for the Sandy Creek School Project Club. As he lives nearby. I have been able to obtain much information and guidance both from him and Mr. J. Ruediger, head teacher of the school, and a keen man with poultry. I like the work very much, and intend to start as soon as possible a poultry farm of my own………… Chronicle, Thursday 13 August 1931

Geoff and Doris Vida Pointon were engaged on the 21 October 1938 and married 2 years later at Gawler.

Hissey — Pointon

The marriage of Doris Vida, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Pointon, of Gawler West, to Geoffrey Duncan, third son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hissey, of Sandy Creek, was solemnised at the Gawler West Methodist Church. The Rev. Leslie Hunt officiated. The bride wore pearl -toned crinkled chiffon over taffeta. The cream lace veil, embroidered with gold thread, was lent by Mrs. D. Hepworth. The bridesmaids, Misses Norma Pointon (sister of the bride) and May Hissey (sister of the bridegroom ) were frocked alike in apple-green georgette. Mr. Gordon Hissey (brother of the bridegroom) was best man and Mr. Walter Webb (cousin of the bride) was groomsman. A reception was held at the institute hall.

Chronicle, Thursday 1 February 1940

Prior to his enlistment in the AIF Geoff have served for several years in a militia unit, 18 Machine Gun Regiment. A farmer on the family farm, and part time shearer, Geoff enlisted at Adelaide on 20 May 1940 and reported for full time duty at Wayville on 25 May 1940. Initially he was deemed temporarily unfit for service due to the poor condition of his teeth. He marched out to Woodside and immediately allotted to 2/27 Battalion. Within a fortnight he was evacuated to the dental unit for dental treatment.

No. 4 Platoon, the armoured carriers, was very simply and effectively filled. To belong to it, a recruit had to be firstly a Vicker’s gunner, and secondly had to be possessed of what is called  “an eye for ground”.  Working their 10 carriers, three men to a carrier, each little team of commander, driver and gunner needed to be a cohesive whole, each one capable of performing the duties of the other two.       The Brown and Blue Diamond at War

The 2/27 Battalion was formed and ready for overseas deployment and on 25 September Geoffrey was granted pre-embarkation leave. On 19 October the 2/27th marched to the Oakbank railway station from where they entrained to Melbourne. From Port Melbourne the 2/27th embarked HMT Mauretania and while at sea Geoff was promoted to Corporal. He embarked in Egypt on 24 November and his unit immediately located to Palestine for training. Like so many others Geoff contracted mumps and was evacuated to 1 Australian General Hospital in Gaza on New Years Day 1941. He rejoined his unit twelve days later. On 6 June the battalion moved to the Syrian border and on the 8 June began short, sharp operation that lasted less than six weeks. At this time Geoff was in charge of a Bren Gun carrier.

The Bren carrier platoon had the unenviable task of acting as advance scouts for the major portion of the attack up the coast road. The detailed and full reports supplied by this platoon and their daring in drawing enemy fire for the artillery to deal with undoubtably saved the battalion from greater casualties than were experienced, because in most cases the enemy positions and strengths had been pin-pointed before the commanding officer was forced to commit infantry. No. 4 Platoon was “the home” of many of the battalion’s “well known men”, the major portion of them joining en bloc from a militia light horse unit- men like ……. Geoff Hissey……… Considering this platoon’s  actions and activities, its casualties were very slight.  The Brown and Blue Diamond at War by John Burns, M.M.

REG. ALLWOOD TELLS OF FIRST GUN-FIRE: ALSO OF HIS GAWLER COBBERS

Reg. ALLWOOD, one of the three sons of Mr. and Mrs. E. Allwood, of Gawler serving with the forces overseas, writes entertainingly to a member of 'The Bunyip' staff.  Reg. says — You might like to hear a few incidents about the Gawler boys and myself. I know it is more or less history, but it was our first introduction to gun-fire, so you see it will always remain more or less vivid in our memories. As you know I am in the Bren carriers, and up until I received my stripes I was partnering Geoff. Hissey. Never will I forget the feeling I experienced when I knew we were going to cross the river into enemy country. Old Hiss, said-“How do you feel?" I replied, “I want to go home.” “Why” he said, “Home was never like this.” “I know,” I answered, “that's why I want to go home.” We moved off. Jim Aldridge was in the carrier in our immediate front, and every now and then he would look back with a grin from ear to ear. I honestly think he was enjoying it. If you remember, Jim in the old militia days took a lot of upsetting. Behind us came Lance Barkley and Syd. Baker in one carrier, and the rest of the platoon on the flanks. I remarked to Geoff. that Gawler was well represented. 'Yes,' he answered with his never ending source of wit, ''they must be going somewhere. ' Now I ask you what can you do with a guy like that? Anyhow, apart from an odd shot here and there, the day was uneventful. Next day we had orders to move out before dawn and move to the flank of a small enemy post that was giving a little trouble. This meant going up a rugged hillside bristling with rocks and crevices. In the half-light it was a picnic. Froggie was busy drawing some pretty designs with green tracer bullets, but we didn't have time to stay to admire the display. It was low-gear work; and believe me it gets hot in the gunner's seat in the rear. All the time I was waiting to catch the smell of slowly roasting Aussie soldier, because the gunner has no option but to stay put. A box of ammo shook loose and bounced off his car as he crouched down I honestly think the censor would allow me to enclose what he said. When we reached the summit we perceived someone moving amongst some hay stooks, like I imagine Sherlock Holmes would. A second look revealed the indomitable Aldridge with a Bren gun under his arm snodging around for prisoners. His carrier had gone up by a shorter route. On this occasion we came across a cache of tinned fruit, etc. Boy, did we gorge! A Serve of Ironmongery. Anyhow, this sort of thing went on from day to day until we reached the outskirts of Sidon. Here we had a real serve of ironmongery — mortar bombs, shells, and lots of small stuff. Honest, old son, they toss everything but the kitchen sink. In the few days we spent in that vicinity we witnessed every phase of warfare- Once or twice we had grandstand seats of a dive-bombing attack on the good old navy. Our little carrier, called 'Barossa' by the way, bagged seven prisoners and a machine gun near the place I'm writing about. Geoff. and myself told General Blamey we didn't want any medals- (Sarcasm). Geoff. Hissey gets Hot. Even in the most serious moments one gets a laugh. We moved off up the beach towards the above-mentioned machine gun which we couldn't see at the time but could certainly hear. I halted the carrier about 50 yards from a small cave in the fact of the hillside. In the front of the carrier Geoff had mounted a captured enemy machine gun and he was dying to try it out. Pointing the gun at the cave mouth he said "Now you have some of your own medicine." With that he squeezed the teat. I'm gazing out through the slit when all of sudden, Hiss, let out a yell and stopped firing. Gosh, I thought, he's hit! But it wasn't that serious. The hot shells from the gun had bounced off the inside, of the carrier and into his open shirt front. During our spell in Sidon I heard that Mal Leopold was in charge of the canteen supply, right opposite the carrier and motor repair shop. Boy, I soon found something that wanted adjusting on our 'Barossa.' This was before Geoff. went to hospital.  Bunyip, Friday 14 November 1941

On 16 June, several days after the armistice was signed, Geoff was again admitted to 1 AGH for a period of 8 days possibly with a minor SFF (Self forging fragment) wound. On 6 December Geoff, as part of the 7 Division Carrier Coy, was attached to the 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion until rejoining the 2/27th on 11 January 1942. Fortunately for Geoff he did not remain with the 2/3 MG Battalion as a few months later the unit surrendered to the Japanese on Java and spent 3 ½ years as prisoners of war working on the notorious Burma railway. With the Japanese threatening Australia, the 2/27th disembarked from Port Tewfix aboard the Ille d France on 30 January 1942 and disembarked at Port Adelaide on 24 March.

After a weeks home leave the 2/27th reassembled and moved to the Caloundra area where they adapted to jungle warfare and prepared defensive positions. On 7 August Geoff and the 2/27th embarked from Brisbane aboard SS Zebulon Pike and disembarked at Port Moresby fourteen days later. While at sea, on 8 August, Geoff was promoted to Sergeant. Just prior to the 2/27th entering the Owen Stanley campaign the carrier platoon (No.4) was detached to the 2/7 Australian Division Cavalry Regiment and did not rejoin the battalion until 14 May 1943. In that time they played an active and vital role in the defence of the Wau airstrip and later during the campaign against Salamaua.

On 11 May 1943 Geoff rejoined 2/27 Battalion and on the same day embarked from New Guinea aboard HMAT Duntroon, disembarking in Cairns on 13 May. The following day he rejoined 2/27 Battalion. Within a month Geoff was evacuated to 101 Australian General Hospital for eight days suffering from scabies.

At the end of August 1943 the 2/27th returned to New Guinea, embarking from Townsville aboard Katoomba and disembarking in Port Moresby. Within six weeks Geoff had contracted malaria and was taken by 2/4 Field Ambulance to 111 Casualty Clearing Station. On 29 October he rejoined the 2/27th only to be struck down again a month later. This time he was taken from the field by 2/6 Field Ambulance and evacuated to 2/5 Australian General Hospital. Geoff then embarked to Brisbane aboard Etolin for leave but while on leave he was again struck down with scabies and admitted to 121 AGH at Northfield, Adelaide.

There was much, excitement out Sandy Creek way last week, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hissey. The reason for all the joy was three of their four sons who are in the AIF arrived home on leave. Sgt. Geoff Hissey and Pte. Laurie Hissey are on leave from New Guinea after seeing action in the Markham and Ramu Valleys, and Drv. John J Hissey has been on service with a transport company 'up North' for nearly 18 months. Two of the boys, Laurie and John will be fortunate in celebrating their birthdays at home. John will celebrate his 21st on the 12th March.

 Bunyip, Friday 10 March 1944

After completing his leave Geoff rejoined his unit in Queensland but his physical condition had deteriorated and with sore shoulder joints he was evacuated to 2/2 Casualty Clearing Station. Geoff was medically assessed B2. (B2: Medically fit, but, by reason of disability of a permanent basis, employable only on certain duties).  Accordingly he was transferred out to 16 Australian Army Personnel Staging Camp on 10 February for reallotment. Geoff returned to New Guinea in June 1945 and was attached to Headquarters First Australian Army but within a month his medical condition forced a return to Australia, embarking from Lae on 10 July. Geoff returned to Adelaide where chronic rheumatism and malaria were the reason for his discharge on 27 August 1945.

Geoff returned to Sandy Creek where he and Doll had three children. 

The return of Geoff Hissey to the Sandy Creek 11, after an absence of several years,  strengthened the home side’s bowling.  Bunyip Friday 21 November 1947

 Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Hissey, of “Enerby”, Gawler, wish to thank all those who helped to fight the fires last Thursday, saving our house, sheds, etc,.     The Bunyip, February 6, 1948

Geoff died on 13 June 1990 and Doll on 31 March 2005. Geoff was cremated and his ashes were placed under a large gum tree overlooking Hay Gully.