Joseph Leonard Stout was born in Ballarat, Victoria, was single and a Miner when he enlisted with the 8th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement on 29 January 1916 at the age of 38. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 1 April 1916. He transferred to the 60th Battalion and again to the 59th Battalion before attending grenade school in France on 25 August 1916. On 29 June 1917 he was punished for absenting himself without leave while in the field for three days. He was admonished and received forfeiture of 4 days' pay. During the remainder of 1918 (and to the end of the war), aside from minor illness (undefined), he completed his service without major incident or injury. However, on 31 May 1919, two weeks before returning to Australia, he was again absent without leave, resulting in forfeiture of 20 days' pay. He returned to Australia 10 June 1919.
Tree No. 2096