Informal portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Alfred John (Alf) Shout, probably in Egypt. On ...

Informal portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Alfred John (Alf) Shout, probably in Egypt. On the back of the photograph is written the single word "Whisper", a reference to Shout's nickname. Shout served with a New Zealand unit in the Boer War before settling in Australia. He became a carpenter and joiner in Sydney and served as an officer in the local militia. Second Lieutenant Shout embarked with F Company, 1st Battalion from Sydney aboard HMAT Afric on 18 October 1914. He took part in the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and was awarded the Military Cross and was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions during the next few weeks. Shout was promoted to captain in July 1915. During the attack on Lone Pine (6-9 August), Captain (Capt) Shout took part in the initial assault and defended captured positions. On 9 August he charged down an enemy trench killing eight Turks and wounding others. Later in the day a bomb he had lit exploded prematurely causing him massive injuries. Capt Shout died of his wounds on the hospital ship HS Neuralia on 11 August 1915 and was buried at sea. His Victoria Cross was gazetted two months later.