Billy Congreve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William La Touche Congreve
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| Born | 12 March 1891 Burton, Cheshire, United Kingdom |
| Died | 20 July 1916 (aged 25) Delville Wood, Longueval, France |
| Buried |
Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Rifle Brigade |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) |
| Relations | General Sir Walter Congreve (father) |
William La Touche Congreve (born March 12, 1891 – died July 20, 1916) was a brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest and most respected award for courage in battle. This award is given to soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth who show amazing bravery when facing the enemy.
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A Young Hero's Life
William Congreve went to school at Summer Fields School in Oxford. Later, he studied at Eton, leaving in 1907. On June 1, 1916, he married Pamela Cynthia Maude. Her parents, Cyril Maude and Winifred Emery, were famous actors.
William was 25 years old when he showed incredible bravery during the First World War. He was a Major in The Rifle Brigade, a part of the British Army. His actions earned him the Victoria Cross.
Bravery in Battle: The Victoria Cross Story
From July 6 to July 20, 1916, in a place called Longueval, France, Major Congreve was a constant inspiration to everyone around him. He performed many acts of courage. As a Brigade Major, he guided battalions (groups of soldiers) to their fighting positions.
When his brigade's headquarters came under heavy shell fire, he didn't hide. Instead, he went out with the medical officer to move wounded soldiers to safety. He did this even though he was suffering from gas and other effects of the shelling himself.
Later, he went out again to help the wounded, still under heavy shell fire. Finally, he returned to the front line to check on the situation after an attack that didn't go as planned. Sadly, a sniper shot him, and he died instantly.
A Family of Heroes
William Congreve's father was General Sir Walter Congreve. He also received the Victoria Cross! This makes them one of only three father-and-son pairs to ever win this very special award.
William had a younger brother named Geoffrey. Geoffrey was a distinguished sailor and was awarded the DSO for a raid in Norway. He was killed in 1941 during a raid on the French coast.
After William died, his wife Pamela gave birth to their daughter, Mary Gloria Congreve, on March 21, 1917. Pamela later remarried in 1919.
Remembering William Congreve
William Congreve is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. This cemetery is about 9 miles east of Amiens. His grave is in Plot I, Row F, Grave 35.
There is also a special plaque in his memory inside the Corbie church. This plaque was designed by a famous architect named Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Lutyens also designed another plaque for William. You can find it at St John the Baptist's church in Stowe-by-Chartley, Staffordshire.
William's service in the First World War is also remembered in a special book called a Roll of Honour. This book is in St Michael's Church in West Felton, Shropshire. West Felton was William's childhood home. His father lived there from 1903 to 1924.
His Victoria Cross medal is on display at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum in Winchester, England.
