Second Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Kent, England, he served as a Captain in Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade, British Army. On December 15, 1899, at the Battle of Colenso, South Africa, Captain Congreve with several others, tried to save the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery. When the detachments serving the guns had all become casualties or been driven from their guns, Captain Congreve with others went forward to assist. Some of the horses and drivers were sheltering in a donga about 500 yards behind the guns and the space was swept with enemy shell and rifle fire. Captain Congreve, with two other officers helped to hook a team into a limber and then to limber up a gun. Although wounded himself, seeing one of the officers fall, he went out with another officer and brought him in. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on February 2, 1900 and promoted Major. During World War I, he was a Brigadier General in command of the 18th Infantry Brigade. Later, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was knighted. From 1927, he was the Governor of Malta, where he died at age 64. At his request, he was buried at sea in the channel between the coast and Filfla Island. His son Major William La Touche Congreve, was also a Victoria Cross recipient.
Second Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Kent, England, he served as a Captain in Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade, British Army. On December 15, 1899, at the Battle of Colenso, South Africa, Captain Congreve with several others, tried to save the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery. When the detachments serving the guns had all become casualties or been driven from their guns, Captain Congreve with others went forward to assist. Some of the horses and drivers were sheltering in a donga about 500 yards behind the guns and the space was swept with enemy shell and rifle fire. Captain Congreve, with two other officers helped to hook a team into a limber and then to limber up a gun. Although wounded himself, seeing one of the officers fall, he went out with another officer and brought him in. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on February 2, 1900 and promoted Major. During World War I, he was a Brigadier General in command of the 18th Infantry Brigade. Later, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was knighted. From 1927, he was the Governor of Malta, where he died at age 64. At his request, he was buried at sea in the channel between the coast and Filfla Island. His son Major William La Touche Congreve, was also a Victoria Cross recipient.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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