https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/
Stanley Bissell joined the Metropolitan Police on the 1st March 1926. In 1930 & 1934 he won silver medal at the British Empire Games middleweight freestyle wrestling events in Canada and London. He was then posted as self defence instructor at the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Peel House. He attended the Army School of Physical Training to assist him in this new Police role. During WW2 he volunteered to be part of the new Police intakes into the Commandos and in 1942 was sent to the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry. After completing his Commando training the Commandant of the CBTC, Lt Col Charles Vaughan, recognising the potential in Stanley Bissell, immediately transferred him onto the Staff at the CBTC where he joined CSMI Frickleton as an Instructor on the Physical Training team. His role involved many aspects of training in physical fitness and included methods and techniques of Close Combat. Sgt Stanley ' Sonnie ' Bissell played a pivotal role in this training until the end of the war, making the Commandos fit to fight, and instilling in them the qualities that are to this day still recognised and respected worldwide. In his spare time he also ran 3 youth clubs, and was a member of both the Orion Gymnastic Club and the Herne Hill Harriers. Stanley Bissell rejoined the Metroplitan Police at the end of the war serving as an Inspector in charge of Physical Training at the Recruit Training Centre. In 1953 he was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Coronation Honours. He retired from the Police in 1955 but would return 5 years later after a brief spell in Canada to take up the post of Director of Physical Training at the new Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps.

nb. The nickname "Sonnie" was given to him by his sister Leah. He was known as Sonnie by family and friends, and "Stan" by work colleagues.

A copy of a speech he made to the Army Physical Training Corps can be read HERE]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:05:10 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/35663-3/Bissell.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Testimonial+for+SSgt+Bissell.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Testimonial+for+SSgt+Bissell.jpg.html
From the OC Army Physical Training Corps. Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 16 Jul 2014 15:52:32 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Diary+confirming+rank+of+SSgt.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Diary+confirming+rank+of+SSgt.jpg.html
Instructor at the CBTC. Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:30:19 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/letter+of+ref+from+Lt+Col+Vaughan+for+Stan+Bissell+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/letter+of+ref+from+Lt+Col+Vaughan+for+Stan+Bissell+copy.jpg.html
Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:32:14 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Stan+Bissell+medals+board+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Stan+Bissell+medals+board+copy.jpg.html
Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry 1942-45. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Heritage Centre
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:39:29 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Stan+Bissell+with+his+medal+collection.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Stan+Bissell+with+his+medal+collection.jpg.html
SSgt Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry 1942-45.Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Heritage Centre
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:18:45 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/SSI+Bissell+6482222+A_P_T_C.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/SSI+Bissell+6482222+A_P_T_C.jpg.html
SSgt Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry 1942-45. Read more about him in his personal album in our Commando Training gallery. Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell.

© Denis Bissell 2014
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:22:13 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/1953+Coronation+Honours+announcement+Police+Review+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/1953+Coronation+Honours+announcement+Police+Review+copy.jpg.html
Stan 'Sonnie' Bissell served as Staff Sergeant Instructor at the CBTC at Achnacarry. Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:40:12 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Sergeant+SJ+Biissell+met+police+PTI.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Bissell/Sergeant+SJ+Biissell+met+police+PTI.jpg.html
SSgt Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry 1942-45. Photo courtesy of his son Denis Bissell

© Denis Bissell 2014
In album SSgt Stanley 'Sonnie' Bissell BEM, CBTC Physical Training Team 1942-45.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:39:13 +0100