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.
For a comprehensive listing of photographs in the album, see:
Should any further details be sought, see Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
Sunday, November 10, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Settling down to camp life again and there doesn't seem much chance of us having to do any more fighting as I don't think there is much chance of us moving to another front as the war most probably would be over before we could get there. I would give something to go to France from here but don't think there is much chance of that. Received a mail from home today and now we have settled down I must set to work and do some writing.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 10 November 1918
Monday, November 11, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - A day to be remembered. About 5.30 tonight official news stated that hostilities ceased with Germany at 6 am this morning *. I believe it is an armistice but is certain to end in peace. The noise around here when the news was made known was deafening, firing of rifles, revolvers, flares etc and cheering galore. All the boats in the harbour have been blowing their whistles ever some gunboats firing and our brigade battery firing blank ammunition. All the bells in the surrounding villages have been ringing one would imagine he was in Adelaide and I guess there are some joyful bash there tonight. I intend writing some letters tonight that when the news came through I was too excited to do anything. It has been very wet and cold today and snow has fallen in the hills above us and the hills look nice in their white covering.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 11 November 1918