War - Ww1 Vc - New South Wales - Captain Alfred Shout, Vc, Mc 1st Battalion,1st Aif Poem by Paul Warren

Captain Alfred Shout was born in New Zealand
But made his home in Darlington, New South Wales in the Great Southern Land
He had heard the bugle's call in the South African 2nd Boer War
And had been in the New Zealand, South African and Australian army for more
Of the patriotic spirit he showed joining the Australian Military Citizens Force
In 1913 as the war clouds gathered over Europe with no peace to implore

He was a leader whom his men would follow anywhere in battle
And landed on Gallipoli in the invasion battle's rattle
General Ian Hamilton Mentioned him in despatches
At The Landing on the 25th April 1915 as a soldier to match
As he led his men to save a position after Lt. Braund's call
With 200 stragglers from the Cove as the battle drew all

On the 27th April he went to Walker's Ridge as a replacement
And stood his ground as the battle with the Turks did ferment
Exposing himself to the enemy and being wounded in the arm
As he won the first Military Cross directing his men in a place of harm
When he refused to leave the battle from the Ridge until it was done
Conspicuous and gallant only being evacuated once the day was won

After 15 days on the hospital ship the Gascon he returned to his unit
On the 6th of August 1915 he joined the Lone Pine battle as fit
And with his 1st Battalion they advanced on the Turkish trenches
And in a fight that became the measuring stick when attacking defences
As the 1st Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion at Sasses Sap
The fighting was hand to hand in the trenches as the Turks attacked

On the 9th of August Sasse and Shout led their men and captured 20 metres
Of trench together as they bombed forward building barriers to Turks greeted
Shout was fighting hard and moving forward lighting bombs as they advanced
Until at one point he lit three bombs and moved forward throwing them as in a trance
First one bomb and the next one as they continued - then picked up the third one
His luck left him and it exploded taking off a right hand and left eye as he was done

His mates took him gently from the battlefield and they say he was in good cheer
Drinking a cup of tea and was transported to the hospital ship Euralia anchored near
On the 11th of August he succumbed to his wounds and was buried at sea
And so a brave man passed into history and was posthumously awarded a VC
There were other battles joined for the men of the 1st AIF as the Great War went on
As they made their ANZAC legend and continued singing their bravery song.

© Paul Warren Poetry