William La Touche Congreve
Brevet Major, The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own)
- Register No.
- 242 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Brevet Major (register: Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own) (register: Prince Consort's Own (Rifle Brigade)) all Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) VCs →
- Date of action
- 6–20 July 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th October 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 22nd March 1891 at Burton, Cheshire
- Died
- 20th July 1916 at Longueval, France. (killed in action)
- Memorial / grave
- Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France; in Stow- by-Chartey Church, Staffordshire; Corbie Church, France and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial in Winchester Cathedral
Digest of citation
During the period 6th/20th July, 1916 at Longueval, France, Major Congreve constantly inspired those around 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 down again on a subsequent occasion tending the wounded under heavy shell fire. Finally, on returning to the front line up to ascertain the position after an unsuccessful attack, he was shot and Died on instantly
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CONGREVE, William La Touche. (reg No. 242).
Brevet Major. The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own).
London Gazetted on 26th October 1916.
Born on 22nd March 1891 at Burton, Cheshire.
Died on 20th July 1916 at Longueval, France. (killed in action).
Memorials at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France; in Stow- by-Chartey Church, Staffordshire; Corbie Church, France and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial in Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: During the period 6th/20th July, 1916 at Longueval, France, Major Congreve constantly inspired those around 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 down again on a subsequent occasion tending the wounded under heavy shell fire. Finally, on returning to the front line up to ascertain the position after an unsuccessful attack, he was shot and Died on instantly.
Additional information: Major Congreve also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross (MC) as well as the Légion d'Honneur of France. He was the son of Captain W N Congreve VC.
Additional information
Major Congreve also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross (MC) as well as the Légion d'Honneur of France. He was the son of Captain W N Congreve VC.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France; in Stow- by-Chartey Church, Staffordshire; Corbie Church, France and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial in Winchester Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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