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 17, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Sun. Church parade cancelled on account of the wet. A large mob of reinforcements are supposed to arrive during the next few days.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 17 November 1918
Saturday, November 18, 1916
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - The reinforcements arrived today. Cyril amongst them and is looking well.
[Cyril is 3366 Tpr Cyril Charles Schramm, the brother of Bert - ed.]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 November 1918
Tuesday, November 19, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - No news as all things are very quiet. The weather is fine.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 19 November 1918
Wednesday, November 20, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Still no news and the general belief is that we are to be kept here for some time.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 20 November 1918
Thursday, November 21, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording. The weather is being pretty fine.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 21 November 1918
Friday, November 22, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Have been attempting to write letters today but haven't done much.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 22 November 1918
Saturday, November 23, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Little news through today stating that Germany has already handed over certain number of submarines and cruisers. Otherwise, nothing doing today.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 23 November 1918