"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
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Saturday, 12 July 2008
7th LHR RO 18, 29 October 1914, p. 1 Topic: AIF - 2B - 7 LHR
Apart from the War Diary which presents a reflected view of Regimental history, one of the best sources of understanding the immediate challenges facing a regiment is to be found in the Routine Orders. They are a wealth of detail.
Helena Valley Camp, August 1914 Topic: Gen - St - WA
The following pictures were taken in late August 1914 and give a reasonable impression as to the training conditions experience by the raw recruits. Even by the standards of the time, these facilities are what could only be described as primative.
1. Tucker Time
Western Mail, 28 August 1914, p. 24.
[Click on picture for larger version.]
The lads from a section are lining up for some delicious tucker in an al fresco setting. The fellow getting served looks like he is wearing a prison skivvy. The young fellow hanging back appears to look quite disgusted at the food, possibly wondering what actually he had let himself in for by enlisting.
2. Right wheel!
Western Mail, 28 August 1914, p. 24.
[Click on picture for larger version.]
The new recruits are now capable of marching in synch and even executing a basic piece of parade ground drill.
3. Artillery heavy hauling
Western Mail, 28 August 1914, p. 24.
[Click on picture for larger version.]
To build up the stamina of their young charges coupled with a concept of team work, this rather exquisite form of torture was devised - manhandling complete artillery pieces including the gun and caisson. I suspect the caisson is fully loaded to be more realistic. Just one look at these fellows struggling with the task gives a clear indication that there was nothing easy about the exercise.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 12 July 1918 Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
12 July 1918
Bert Schramm
2823 Private Herbert Leslie SCHRAMM, a 22 year old Farmer from Whites River, South Australia. He enlisted on 17 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 10 July 1919.
During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, Bert Schramm kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September Offensive by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.
The Diaries
The complete diary is now available on the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Site at:
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
War Diaries and Letters
All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
The following entries are extracted and transcribed from the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, the originals of which are held by the Australian War Memorial. There are 366 entries on this site. Each day has entries as they occurred from 1914 to 1919. In addition to the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, when appropriate, entries from the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary and other regiments with the Brigade will also appear. Entries from the unit history, Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924 will also appear from time to time. The aim is to give the broadest context to the story and allow the reader to follow the day to day activities of the regiment. If a relative happened to have served in the regiment during the Great War, then this provides a general framework in which the individual story may be told.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - Demonstration again along whole line to retain Turks from Cape Helles. Turks responded by heavy artillery fire from Baby 700 - two 75 guns directed at our mountain guns resulting in Canterbury Mounted Rifles, one wounded, Auckland Mounted Rifles, one killed, five wounded.
Captain WM MacFarlane [Staff Captain] slightly wounded in leg. Lieutenant Hughes carries out his duties while absent.
Another general demonstration and bombardment in evening drawing considerable fire.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Routine work. Training consisting of Rifle exercises and musketry and mounted work.
Patrols and outposts carried on as in previous week.
1917
Thursday, July 12, 1917
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Abasan el Kebir
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Gimping practice at 100 yards carried out on the range ¾ mile south west of camp.
“C” Squadron reached the range at 0630 and was followed by “B” Squadron at 0930 and “A” Squadron at 1300 till all men fired two practices. The men who failed at both qualifying in a third test.
Daly, Major TJ, left on seven days leave.
1918
Friday, July 12, 1918
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Talaat ed Dumm
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Completing roads and improving bivouac site, horse lines etc.
1919
Saturday, July 12, 1919
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - SS Oxfordshire
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - All ranks on boat parade and allotted boats.
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