Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
5 October 1918
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.
The Diaries
The complete diary is now available on the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Site at:
Finding more about a service person. See:
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Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 5 - 11 October 1918
[Click on page for a larger print version.]
Bert Schramm
Saturday, October 5, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - 2½ miles south west El Mezze
Bert Schramm's Diary - Settled down to camp this morning but don't know how long it will last. Lots of men going sick and many of the horses have sore backs so a few days spell will be good for everyone.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - 2½ miles south west El Mezze
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0820 Moved to a bivouac site 1½ miles south of El Mudhamiye.
The fast marching of the past fortnight had caused many casualties in sore backs amongst the horses of the Regiment, particularly pack animals and rides in low condition. About 30 of these were placed on the sick horse lines and about 30 others were treated in the lines. Great credit is due to the assiduous manner in which Turner, Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant, and his assistants carried out their duties in attending to horse casualties. The greater number of these horses were fit again within a fortnight. Bone, 3592 Trooper E, died of illness.
Darley
Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.
No entry
Previous: Bert Schramm's Diary, 4 October 1918
Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 6 October 1918
Sources Used:
Bert Schramm's DiaryNational Archives Service File.
Embarkation Roll, AWM8.
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
War Diaries and Letters
All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, War Diary, Day by Day Account
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 5 October 1918
