Linton's Shout VC Barracks To Open
17 October 2008
Linton's Shout VC Barracks To Open
Linton's new Shout VC barracks will be opened in a brief ceremony by the Minister of Defence Hon Phil Goff on Wednesday 22 October at 1:30pm.
The opening ceremony will be attended by 55 of members of the Captain Shout's family as well as the Chief of Defence Force Lt Gen Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Army Maj Gen Lou Gardiner, MP for Palmerston North Mr Steve Maharey, MP for Rangitikei Mr Simon Power and Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor
The name follows the convention where Linton's barracks are named after Victoria Cross (VC) winners who have a New Zealand connection.
Built by the 2nd Engineer Regiment, the 48 room block incorporates design features to lower energy use, and improve the comfort for the soldiers.
This is one of the largest tasks the engineers have undertaken for some time and, in addition to providing a number of cost savings, the construction has provided the engineer trades with valuable experience.
"Appreciation must go to the Engineers for their dedicated efforts to maintain progress on the project while they continued their military training, and while they were also being deployed on operations. It will be a great place to live," says Commander 2nd Land Force Group, Colonel Tim Keating.
ENDS
Background.
Captain Alfred John Shout, VC, MC, 1921
Shout was born in Wellington, New Zealand, the eldest child of John Richard and Agnes Mary Shout. He was educated privately in New Zealand and in 1900 went to South Africa to fight with the New Zealand contingent in the Second Boer War. He went to live in Australia in 1907.
At Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 Shout's Battalion landed around 10 a.m. Shout found himself engaged in the desperate struggle for the dominating hill known as Baby 700. The Anzac survivors eventually retreated to Russell's Top. Two days later Lieutenant Shout showed conspicuous courage in organising and leading his men. While continually exposed to the enemy he planned and led a bayonet charge against the Turks.
Then, with the position secured, Shout and a corporal left the trench, which was being continually swept with machine gun fire, and went forward concealing themselves to fire on the Turks. During this action Shout carried more than a dozen men out of the firing line, despite being wounded himself. For this Shout was awarded the Military Cross.
On 11 May Shout was wounded in the side and had a bullet pass through his arm. He recovered and rejoined his unit on 26 May. On 29 July Shout was promoted to captain and given a special Mention in Dispatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton, commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. On 6 August the Offensive began at Lone Pine.
The Anzacs attacked at 5.40 p.m. and captured Lone Pine within the hour. The Turks immediately began counter-attacking and the struggle continued for five days. On the 9 August Turks had reoccupied a large area of the captured trench. The citation for Shout's Victoria Cross, published in the London Gazette on 15 October 1915, reads: For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine Trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula.
On the morning of 9 August 1915, with a 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.
The Barracks Facts
* The barracks are the development of the successful flat style established at Linton Camp in the late 1990's by the BSM group in Wanganui. Building features are as follows:
* Two floors with 24 single person rooms divided into 4 "Flat" units.
1 All bedrooms contain a vanity basin wardrobes, desk and shelf unit.
2 Each Flat also contains a lounge, kitchenette, showers and toilets
* Foundation preparation began in Sept 07,
* Up to 25 tradesman and apprentices (carpenters, electricians and plumbers) from 25 Engineer Support Squadron (25 ESS) and School of Military Engineering (SME) have been working on the project.
* Construction cost $3.2m
* Energy and comfort features:
* solar hot water heating for domestic hot water and space heating;
1 double glazing;
2 motion sensor control for lighting in common areas;
3 enhanced construction detailing to insulation to reduce sound transmission through both walls and floors;
4 The building was constructed out of sustainable building materials.
Please note that there are currently over 400 NZDF personnel involved in missions and deployments around the world.
ENDS