Billy Congreve
William La Touche Congreve, VC, DSO, MC (12 March 1891 – 20 July 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
For other uses, see William Congreve (disambiguation).
William La Touche Congreve
12 March 1891
Burton, Cheshire, United Kingdom
20 July 1916 (aged 25)
Delville Wood, Longueval, France
United Kingdom
Major
General Sir Walter Congreve (father) Kez Ward
Life and career[edit]
He was at school at Summer Fields School, Oxford, and then at Eton, leaving in 1907.[1] On 1 June 1916 he married Pamela Cynthia Maude, the daughter of actors Cyril Maude and Winifred Emery.
Congreve was 25 years old, and a major in The Rifle Brigade, British Army, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
During the period 6 to 20 July 1916 at Longueval, France, Major Congreve constantly inspired those round him by numerous acts of gallantry. As Brigade Major he not only conducted battalions up to their positions but when the brigade headquarters was heavily shelled he went out with the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he himself was suffering from gas and other shell effects. He went out again on a subsequent occasion tending the wounded under heavy shell fire. Finally, on returning to the front line to ascertain the position after an unsuccessful attack, he was shot by a sniper and died instantly.[2]
He was the son of General Sir Walter Congreve, also a Victoria Cross awardee – they are one of only three father and son pairings to win a VC.[3] His younger brother Geoffrey Congreve was a distinguished sailor.
His widow bore a posthumous daughter, Mary Gloria Congreve, born 21 March 1917.[4] Pamela Congreve later remarried, to Brigadier the Hon. William Fraser, in 1919.