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, June 23, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Have had a fairly easy day. Getting things straightened up. Wrote some letters.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 23 June 1918
Monday, June 24, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Am having a pretty fair time. Just the usual camp routine of duties. One man per troop is allowed leave to Jerusalem so hope to get on this later on. Realise we are only here for a fortnight.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 24 June 1918
Tuesday, June 25, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing much doing. Lots of men going away sick. Our troop Sergeant A.E. Jones was accidentally killed last night.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 25 June 1918
Wednesday, June 26, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things much as usual. Nothing worth recording.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 26 June 1918
Thursday, June 27, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Went to Jerusalem on leave and saw the wonderful sights of the Holy City. Had a very interesting day.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 27 June 1918
Friday, June 28, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing unusual although things seem very unsettled and seems as if we are to go back to the front line any minute.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 28 June 1918
Saturday, June 29, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Still here and things much the same as usual. Have heard good news from the Italian front.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 29 June 1918