THE VICTORIA CROSS, MILITARY CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO CAPTAIN ALFRED SHOUT HAVE BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY BONHAMS & GOODMAN OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
24 July 2006


( select to enlarge )		 Medal entitlement of Captain Alfred Shout,
1st Bn, Australian Imperial Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • Military Cross ( MC )
  • Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )
    • 3 clasps:
    • "Cape Colony" - "Transvaal" - "Wittebergen"
  • King's South Africa Medal ( 1901-02 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902"
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf

The last remaining Australian Gallipoli Victoria Cross remaining in private hands has been sold at auction by Bonhams & Goodman of Sydney, Australia, for a hammer price of $AUS 1,000,000.00 ( £406,716.00 ) - a world record price for a Victoria Cross.

The Shout VC was bought by Australian media magnet Kerry Stokes, in collaboration with the Return Services League, who plan to display the Victoria Cross medal group in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 15 October 1915 ], Lone Pine Trenches, Gallipoli, Turkey, 9 August 1915, Captain Alfred John Shout MC, 1st Bn, Australian Imperial Force.

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.

For the award of the Military Cross ( MC )

[ London Gazette, 3 June 1915 ], Gallipoli, Turkey, Captain Alfred John Shout, 1st Bn, Australian Imperial Force

On 27th April 1915 during operations near Gaba Tepe, for showing conspicuous courage and ability in organising and leading his men in the thick bushy country, under very heavy fire. He frequently had to expose himself to locate the enemy, and led a bayonet charge at a critical moment.

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Iain Stewart, 24 July 2006