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, 18 March 1919
Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 17 - 19 March 1919
[Click on page for a larger print version.]
Diaries
Bert Schramm
Tuesday, March 18, 1919
Bert Schramm's Location - Tel el Kebir, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - We all left Moascar by train this morning at 7.30 but after travelling an hour or so we found the rails had been torn up and a couple of trains wrecked and we had to wait all day for the line to be cleared and are camping tonight near Tel el Kebir and we will wait until the line is clear. All the trains have a guard on and a picket on all stations. This business is a cursed nuisance and will probably delay us here a couple months.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Zagazig, Egypt.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0100 McDonald, Captain JM, MC, with 120 Other Ranks moved out mounted to Kafr Sagr to rescue influential Greek family who were reported to be in danger.
Several small guards were mounted locally thus absorbing all available men of the Regiment except seven Officers and 24 Other Ranks [Duty men and specialists].
1000 All available personnel of the Brigade marched dismounted through the streets of Zagazig for the purpose of making a demonstration before the inhabitants. No Turkish flags were observed. The inhabitants were quiet and orderly but sullen; in a few cases friendly.
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, 18 March 1919
