World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his actions at Longueval, France from July 6 through 20, 1916. Nicknamed Billy, he was the son of General Sir Walter Norris Congreve, who was also a Victoria Cross Recipient from the 2nd Boer War. He received his education at Summer Fields School in North Oxford, Oxfordshire, England and at Eton College in Eton, Berkshire, England. Following the outbreak of World War I in July 1914 he served in The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) of the British Army and attained the rank of brevet major. On July 20, 1916 he was killed by a German sniper at the age of 25 in Longueval, France while engaged in combat operations. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the British Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross, and the French Légion d'honneur. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "William La Touche Congreve, Brevet Major, DSO, MC, Rifle Brigade. Date of Acts of Bravery: 6-20 July 1916. For most conspicuous bravery during a period of fourteen days preceding his death in action. This officer constantly performed acts of gallantry and showed the greatest devotion to duty, and by his personal example inspired all those around him with confidence at critical periods of the operations. During preliminary preparations for the attack he carried out personal reconnaissances of the enemy lines, taking out parties of officers and non-commissioned officers for over 1,000 yards in front of our line, in order to acquaint them with the ground. All these preparations were made under fire. Later, by night, Major Congreve conducted a battalion to its position of employment, afterwards returning to it to ascertain the situation after assault. He established himself in an exposed forward position from whence he successfully observed the enemy, and gave orders necessary to drive them from their position. Two days later, when Brigade Headquarters were heavily shelled and many casualties resulted, he went out and assisted the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he himself was suffering severely from gas and other shell effects. He again on a subsequent occasion showed supreme courage in tending wounded under heavy shell fire. He finally returned to the front line to ascertain the situation and after an unsuccessful attack, and whilst in the act of writing his report was shot and killed instantly."