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, August 11, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Bluff, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Were heavily shelled this morning got right among our bivvies but nearly all solid rock here and plenty of good cover no damage done.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 11 August 1918
Monday, August 12, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Bluff, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things rather quiet believe we are being relieved by infantry in a few days.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 12 August 1918
Tuesday, August 13, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Bluff, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - We were relieved by the 1st Battalion B.W.I. tonight and we are going back near the Mount of Temptation for a few days.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 13 August 1918
Wednesday, August 14, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Arrived in camp about 4 am this morning and are camped near the water. A number of us have to go out in support to the B.W.I. tonight.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 14 August 1918
Thursday, August 15, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - There are nine of us attached temporarily to each post held by the B.W.I. And I reckon we are here for a good time.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 15 August 1918
Friday, August 16, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Having a good time absolutely nothing to do at all. We are just here in case anything turns up.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 16 August 1918
Saturday, August 17, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording but we are having a good spell.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 17 August 1918
Sunday, August 18, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording everything very quiet.
[B.W.I. = British West Indian Regiment]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 August 1918