Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
14 July 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:
Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 13 - 18 July 1918
[Click on page for a larger print version.]
Bert Schramm
Sunday, July 14, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Moascar, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Caught the 11 am train from Cairo. Arrived at Moascar about 2PM. I am staying here tonight.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Wadi Auja, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0620, Urgent message received from Brigade that the Brigade would move to the Jordan Valley at once and reinforce Anzac Mounted Division who were being heavily attacked on El Musallabeh.
0750 The Regiment, less transport, moved via the Roman Road to the Jordan Valley, arriving at Mokam Imam Aly near Ain Ed Duk at 1115.
Information was now received that the tactical situation at No 3 sub sector was good. About a battalion of Germans had attacked early in the morning, portion of whom reached Abu Tellul, where they were held and afterwards captured by a smart counter attack delivered by 1st Light Horse Brigade. German prisoners stated that their attack should have been supported by a large force of Turks, but these failed to come on.
1500 Orders were received for this Regiment to move to the rear of Wart Post, and remain in support to New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade who were making a minor operation in front of Vyse and View Posts.
The Regiment reported to General Officer in Command, New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade near Wart Post at 1700. The New Zealanders moved out mounted and encountered very heavy artillery fire when crossing Wadi Auja.
By 2000 they had reconnoitred all ground for 2,000 yards west of Zeiss and Vyse Posts, reporting clear of enemy. Machine gun fire was encountered from the west. Five prisoners and one machine gun were captured here by New Zealanders.
2015 The Regiment moved back to Mokam Imam Aly and bivouacked for night.
9th LHR AIF War Diary, 14 July
Darley
Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.
No Entry
Previous: Bert Schramm's Diary, 13 July 1918
Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 15 July 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, 14 July 1918
