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
Saturday, October 12, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are still quiet. Rumours of Turkey have asked peace terms and the news from France is good.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 12 October 1918
Sunday, October 13, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are in a pretty bad state through sickness and they have no facilities for dealing with the number of sick they have. In fact things are in a pretty rotten state.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 13 October 1918
Monday, October 14, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Received letter from Jim. He is doing well. Toby came back from FA today but isn't too well yet. Thankfully to say I am still enjoying good health.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 14 October 1918
Tuesday, October 15, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording. Rumours of peace floating around.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 15 October 1918
Wednesday, October 16, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - We are still camped and are having a good rest. Sickness is causing some alarm. Men are dying every day.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 16 October 1918
Thursday, October 17, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing worth recording. Good war news from the other fronts.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 17 October 1918
Friday, October 18, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing doing. A few reinforcements arrived today.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 October 1918
Saturday, October 19, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Five sections of us went on patrol to the village called Dumas north of Beirut Road. Had rather a long ride but nothing doing.
[5 Sections = 20 troopers. See: The Australian Light Horse - Structure and scroll down to Section for further information.]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 19 October 1918