Captain Alfred John Shout was born in Wellington on 7 August 1881. He served with the Border Horse and Cape Field Artillery in the South African war and remained in South Africa until 1905 when he settled in Australia with his wife and daughter. He joined the AIF as soon as war was declared and was appointed Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion on 27 August 1915. He took part in the landing at 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 1915 the AIF attacked at Lone Pine as a diversion to the attack on Chunuk Bair. 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 injuries to his head, chest and hand. He was evacuated to HMHS Neuralia where he died on 11 August and was buried at sea. His Victoria Cross was gazetted two months later with the citation reading:-
"For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula.
On the morning of the 9th August, 1915, with a very 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 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."
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