Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, 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 1918 breakout 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.
Bert Schramm's Diary, 17 March 1919
Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 17 - 19 March 1919
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Diaries
Bert Schramm
Monday, March 17, 1919
Bert Schramm's Location - Moascar, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Fresh developments today. Two more squadrons have left here today all fully equipped and mounted and I believe the rest of our Brigade is leaving here tomorrow. We have all our gear on the station and are to leave in the morning but don't know where we are going.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Moascar; Abu Hamad; Zagazig, Egypt.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Remainder of 8th Light Horse Regiment ordered to proceed dismounted to Zagazig. 9th Light Horse Regiment to be ready to move out at short notice.
1000 Orders received that 9th Light Horse Regiment [less mounted squadron] 150 strong, 76 all ranks A Squadron, 74 all ranks C Squadron would entrain for Zagazig at 1100. Hurried preparations were made and at 1115, 13 Officers, 128 Other Ranks, 9th Light Horse Regiment and remainder of 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments, entrained at Moascar on construction train. Scott, Lieutenant Colonel WH, CMG DSO commanded train. Mounted squadron and rear parties were left behind.
After the dull routine of Moascar camp life all ranks were keen for a bit of excitement.
The Regiments arrived at Abu Hamad without incident. At kilo 46 railway line and telegraph wires had been destroyed. Gangs immediately set to work to repair breaks. Four Officers and 50 Other Ranks, B Squadron, marched back from here to Abu Hamad as reports received stated that the Christians there were in danger.
At 1930 break in railway and main telegraph line repaired and train proceeded towards Zagazig. Edgerley, Lieutenant; and, 14 Other Ranks, C Squadron, were left to guard the canal bridge at kilo 46.
The Regiments arrived at Zagazig without incident at 2100. Disentrained and bivouacked near Supply Depot. Twelve Other Ranks sent back as train guard to Moascar.
Darley
Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.
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Further Reading:
9th Light Horse Regiment AIF War Diary - Complete day by day list
Bert Schramm Diary - Complete day by day list
Additional Reading:
Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.
Citation: Bert Schramm's Diary, 17 March 1919
