has he fought in any major war?
Yes, Second Boer War
Alfred Shout
Born in Wellington, Shout had served in the Second Boer War as a teenager. 
who was alfred shout? He was a New Zealand-born soldier and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC)
wiki:17908337
Alfred Shout [SEP] Introduction
He killed eight Turkish soldiers, and managed to clear others to retake the trench. In a similar action later that day, and supported by another officer, he recaptured further ground amid hard fighting. In the final push forward, Shout simultaneously lit three bombs to lob at the enemy. He successfully threw two, but the third burst just as it was leaving his hand. Shout was grievously wounded, and died two days later. Born in Wellington, Shout had served in the Second Boer War as a teenager. He rose to sergeant and was mentioned in despatches for saving a wounded man before being discharged in 1902.