Capt. Alfred John Shout, VC, MC

Alfred John Shout, VC, MC (8 August 1882 – 11 August 1915) was a New Zealand-born soldier and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Shout was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions at Lone Pine in August 1915, during the Gallipoli Campaign. After the Turks had counterattacked and seized a large stretch of the Australians' front line, Shout gathered a small party of men and charged down one trench throwing bombs. He killed eight Turks, and managed to clear others to retake the trench. In a similar action later that day, and supported by another officer, he recaptured further ground amid hard fighting. In the final push forward, Shout simultaneously lit three bombs to lob at the Turks. He successfully threw two, but the third burst just as it was leaving his hand. Shout was grievously wounded, and died three days later.

Biographies:

• Wikipedia contributors, 'Alfred Shout', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
• Matthew Higgins, 'Shout, Alfred John (1881–1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University

SHOUT, ALFRED JOHN

• Rank: Captain
• Date of Death: 11/08/1915
• Age: 33
• Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 1st Bn.
• Awards: V C, M C
• Panel Reference: 12.
• Memorial: LONE PINE MEMORIAL
• Additional Information: Born New Zealand.

Citation:

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29328, dated 15th Oct., 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the morning of the 9th Aug., 1915, with a very small party, Capt. 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 of the same day, from the position gained in the morning, he captured a further length of trench under similar conditions, 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. This most gallant officer has since succumbed to his injuries."

Links:

• The AIF Project
• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record
• New Zealand War Graves Record