This pair of civilian-made Galilean-type binoculars belonged to Alfred John Shout MC VC. The binoculars were used by Shout while serving with the Border Horse during the South African ('Boer') War, 1899-1902. They are thought to have been damaged when Shout was wounded and fell off his horse.
New Zealand-born, Shout served with the First Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Gallipoli. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for 'conspicuous bravery' during the battle of Lone Pine on 9 August 1915.
The binoculars were discovered during a rehousing project and donated to the National Army Museum in Waiouru.
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