Lives of the First World War

Lieutenant (Lieut) Alfred J Shout hand feeding a pet rabbit at Mena camp near Cairo. Lieut Shout served in the Boer War with the New Zealand contingent and later served in the AIF with the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli. Later rising to the rank of Captain and winning the Military Cross, Shout died at sea on 11 August 1915 of wounds sustained at Lone Pine on 9 August; he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

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.

Cigarette card showing a portrait of Captain Alfred John Shout VC MC. Part of a series of cards depicting Australian VCs printed by Sniders and Abrahams.

Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. June 1915. Portrait of Lieutenant A. J. Shout VC, 1st Battalion.

Pre enlistment studio portrait of Captain (Capt) Alfred John Shout VC, 1st Battalion, in civilian clothes. Capt Shout was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine Trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula" on the 9 August 1915. He captured enemy occupied trenches in the morning and later in the afternoon he captured a further length of trench under heavy fire, continuously bombing the enemy at close range, until he was severely wounded, losing his right hand and left eye. He later died of his wounds. This was the second of two Victoria Crosses awarded to members of the 1st Battalion in the Lone Pine Trenches.

Studio portrait of Captain Alfred J Shout. Shout served in the Boer War with the New Zealand contingent and later served in the AIF with the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) and Victoria Cross (VC) for actions at Gallipoli. Shout received the MC for gallantry in leading a bayonet charge in operations near Gaba Tepe on 27 April 1915. He was later awarded the VC for bravery in actions at Sasse's Sap, Lone Pine, where Shout charged the trench found to be occupied by Turks. After killing eight Turks and capturing sections of the trench, Shout threw a bomb which exploded in his hand, fatally wounding him. Shout died on the hospital ship on 11 August 1915. (Original print housed in AWM Archive Store).

Informal outdoor portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Alfred Shout (his wounded right arm in a sling) and an unidentified officer.

Officers of the 1st Battalion being led on ponies and a donkey by local men and a young boy. From left to right: Unidentified; Lieutenant Alfred J Shout (later MC and VC); Unidentified; Captain C D Sasse; Unidentified; Captain C W Thompson.

This memorial tablet was unveiled in Sydney in November 1915. We will remember.

Graham Thomas, Greg Thomas and Mia Shout, the descendants of Captain Alfred John Shout. We will remember

Alfred Shout's tile at the NMA in the UK. Among many others remembered as VC winners from outside the UK.