Captain Alfred John Shout

Ranks Held Captain, Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 07/08/1881
Birth Place New Zealand: North Island, Wellington, Wellington
Death Date 11/08/1915
Death Place Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli
Final Rank Captain
Service Australian Imperial Force
Unit 1st Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Events
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Alfred Shout epitomised the legend of Anzac. He was born in New Zealand in 1881. During the Boer War, Shout served with the Border Horse and Cape Field Artillery. In 1905 he settled in Australia with his wife and daughter. He was a carpenter and joiner in Sydney and served part-time as an officer in the local militia force. He joined the AIF as soon as war was declared and was a foundation officer of the 1st Battalion. He took part in the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and was awarded the Military Cross and Mentioned in Despatches for his actions over the next few weeks.

On 6 August the AIF attacked at Lone Pine. During three days of bitter fighting Shout became one of seven Australians to be awarded the Victoria Cross there. He took part in the initial assault and over the next days was conspicuous in defending captured positions. On 9 August Shout charged down an enemy trench, killing eight Turks with bombs and wounding others. Later that day he simultaneously lit three bombs as a prelude to a final dash. The third exploded prematurely, causing horrendous injuries. Shout remained cheerful as he was evacuated to the rear, but died on a hospital ship two days later. He was buried at sea, and his Victoria Cross was gazetted two months later.

For years Shout s Victoria Cross was the only Gallipoli one not held by the Memorial. It was added to the collection in 2006 and displayed in the Hall of Valour with the other six Lone Pine Victoria Crosses.

Citation (abridged):

On the morning of 9th August, 1915, with a small party, Captain Shout charged down trenches strongly occupied by the enemy, and personally threw four bombs among them, killing eight and routing the remainder. In the afternoon he captured a further length of trench and continued personally to bomb the enemy at close range, under very heavy fire, until he was severely wounded, losing his right hand and left eye. He succumbed to his injuries.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 07/08/1881 New Zealand
Date of enlistment 19/09/1914
Date and unit at appointment (Officers) 27/08/1914 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant in 1 Battalion.
Date of embarkation 18/10/1914 Embarked aboard A19 (SS Afric).
Date of fate 11/08/1915
Date of recommendation honour or award 01/09/1915
Date promoted 01/02/1915 Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of honour or award 04/1915 Awarded Military Cross.
Date of honour or award 09/08/1915 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, Turkey whilst serving with 1 Battalion, 1 Brigade, 1 Division as a Captain
Date of death 11/08/1915 Died of wounds recieved at Gallipoli in the action for which he received the Victoria Cross.
Date promoted 29/07/1915 Appointed Captain.
Date of honour or award 05/08/1915 Mention in Despatches.