Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Extract from a letter from George Candy, on the Red Cross records (19 Oct 1918):

“ ……. He and I were working together as Stretcher Bearers in a small advance on the Merris front. We were lying in rear of our own platoon, a few yards apart waiting for the barrage to lift when a shell fell directly on Pout.

Being shocked somewhat myself by the explosion, I did not realise what had happened at the time, and in moving forward with the advance missed Pout. After consideration I went back to the place where the shall burst so near me, and found the remains of Pout. Post mortem recognition was impossible.

I gathered up his effects and helped carry his body to Battn HQ. I handed his personal effects, the chief items being a packet wallet and a bible, to the Secretary of our 3rd Brigade,  to whom Pout was personally known. This gentleman undertook to communicate with Pout’s people, mentioning that he knew deceased fiancee well ………..”

Extract from a letter from J Marshall, on the Red Cross records (18 Oct 1918):

“ ……. He was the best liked chap in our company, and game as a lion ….”

According to Australian Army records, George served at Gallipoli, but contracted dysentery, and was evacuated to Egypt, where after his recovery he was detached to work for the YMCA and at the Australian General Hospital in Cairo. He then travelled to England en route to the BEF in France, where he re-joined the Battalion in November 20 1917 and was there in Northern France until he was killed on 3 June 1918 near Hazebrouck.

The Australian Red Cross Society records of the wounded and missing has a number of letters and witness statements from his comrades, extracts from two of which are included on the right. He was working as a stretcher bearer when he was killed by a shell, possibly one of our own.

George’s brother John Pout was killed three weeks later, on 25th June 1918.

Private George Pout is remembered with honour on the War Memorial at St. Michael's Church, Hernhill. The cemetery was used from May to September 1918 by field ambulances and fighting Units, particularly those of the 1st Australian Division, during the interval between the German and Allied offensives of that year. On the 1911 census he was 21 and is shown as the oldest of eight children still living with his parents, at the Alms Houses, Dargate (also known as “Pleasant View”, and working as a groom. On 12 April 1912, he emigrated to Australia travelling on the Orient Line ship “Orsova” to Fremantle.

He enlisted in the Australian Army in Blackboy Hills, Western Australia in September 1914 and departed from Fremantle, Western Australia on Australian Transport ship H.M.A.T. Medic 2 November 1914, for service in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

12th Bn.Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

He was 29 and the son of George Alfred and Sarah Ann Pout, of Pleasant View, Dargate, Hernhill, nr. Faversham, Kent, England.

Birth probably registered as Alfred George-the birth of his brother John Alfred was recorded as Alfred John.

Births Sep 1889   Pout Alfred George Faversham 2a 836.

The Hernehill memorial stands just within the grounds of the parish churchyard at the edge of the village green. It is in the form of a granite cross with a sword in relief on the front face.

His brother, Private John Alfred Pout, Service Number G/37673 aged 19, also fell. He was serving with the 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. He died 25th June 1918 aged 19 years. He had been born in Faversham. Enlisted Canterbury. Buried Bleue-Maison Military Cemetery, Eperlecques, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference - A.3.

They were sons of George Alfred and Sarah Ann Pout of Pleasant View, Dargate, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent. Both are commemorated on the Hernhill war memorial which stands just within the grounds of the parish churchyard at the edge of the village green. It is in the form of a granite cross with a sword in relief on the front face.