Below are two section of a brief Military Biography of  3049 Trooper Stanley Alexander Ferguson. It is divided into two parts. Part One deals with all his specific details from enlistment to return to Australia. Part Two is a week by week summary of status from “Enlistment” to “Returned to Australia”.

 
Part One: Specific details from “Enlistment” to “Returned to Australia”.

Surname: Ferguson
First Name: Stanley
Other Names: Alexander
Service Number: 3049
Rank: Private
1924 List: Yes
Place of Birth: SA
Boer War Service: No
Age: 33
Birth Year: 1883
Employment: Stockman
Status: Single
District: Oodnadatta
State: South Australia
NOK: Mother
Title: Mrs
Last: Ferguson
First: Elizabeth
Street: Thomas Street
Locality: Broken Hill
Province: New South Wales
Country: Australia
Religion: Presbyterian
Enlisted Day: 8
Enlisted Month: September
Enlisted Year: 1916
Embarkation Ship: HMAT A45 "Bulla"
Embarkation Day: 16
Embarkation Month: January
Embarkation Year: 1917
Embarkation Port: Adelaide
Section: 23rd Reinforcements
Regiment: 9th Light Horse Regiment
Previous Service: None
Fate: Returned to Australia
Day: 7
Month: April
Year: 1919
Ship: Karoa
Last Rank: Private
Honours: None
Squadron: C
Gallipoli: No
Notes:
    1. Enlisted in Base Light Horse Details, 8 September 1916
    2. Absorbed into 9th Light Horse Regiment, 23rd Reinforcements, 10 October 1916
    3. Transferred to 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron, 2 March 1917
    4. Attended Shoeing Smith School, 21 March 1917
    5. Transferred to 9th Light Horse Regiment C Squadron, 10 June 1917

Part Two: Week by week summary of status from “Enlistment” to “Returned to Australia”.

14/08/16 - Base Training Squadron
21/08/16 - Base Training Squadron
28/08/16 - Base Training Squadron
7/09/16 - Base Training Squadron
14/09/16 - Base Training Squadron
21/09/16 - Base Training Squadron
28/09/16 - Base Training Squadron
7/10/16 - Base Training Squadron
14/10/16 - Base Training Squadron
21/10/16 - Base Training Squadron
28/10/16 - Base Training Squadron
7/11/16 - Base Training Squadron
14/11/16 - Base Training Squadron
21/11/16 - Base Training Squadron
28/11/16 - Base Training Squadron
7/12/16 - Base Training Squadron
14/12/16 - Base Training Squadron
21/12/16 - Base Training Squadron
28/12/16 - Base Training Squadron
7/01/17 - Base Training Squadron
14/01/17 - Base Training Squadron
21/01/17 - Base Training Squadron
28/01/17 - Base Training Squadron
7/02/17 - Base Training Squadron
14/02/17 - Base Training Squadron
21/02/17 - Base Training Squadron
28/02/17 - Base Training Squadron
7/03/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron
14/03/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron
21/03/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
28/03/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
7/04/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
14/04/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
21/04/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
28/04/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
7/05/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
14/05/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
21/05/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
28/05/17 - Imperial School of Instruction
7/06/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron
14/06/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/06/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/06/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/07/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/07/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/07/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/07/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/08/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/08/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/08/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/08/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
7/09/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/09/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/09/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/09/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
7/10/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/10/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/10/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/10/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
7/11/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/11/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/11/17 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/11/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron
7/12/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Training Squadron
14/12/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/12/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/12/17 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/01/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/01/18 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/01/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/01/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/02/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/02/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/02/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/02/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/03/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/03/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/03/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/03/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/04/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/04/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/04/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/04/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/05/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/05/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/05/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/05/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/06/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/06/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/06/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/06/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/07/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/07/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/07/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/07/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/08/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/08/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/08/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/08/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/09/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/09/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/09/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/09/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/10/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/10/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/10/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/10/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/11/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/11/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/11/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/11/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/12/18 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/12/18 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/12/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/12/18 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/01/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/01/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/01/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
28/01/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
7/02/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
14/02/19 - 9th Light Horse Regiment Nominal Roll
21/02/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/02/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
7/03/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
14/03/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
21/03/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
28/03/19 - Evacuated to hospital sick
7/04/19 - Returned to Australia

Posted by Project Leader at 4:17 PM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 11 June 2008 4:37 PM EADT

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In front of the scene, sharing pride of place with the band is the Boy Scout Troupe. Behind them is a parking lot filled with cars and buggies with people standing around in all sorts of poses. The band has struck up a tune and they were only awaiting the march past.

Pic #3:     The march past.

Everyone loves a military parade with all the pomp and circumstance, possibly even the band was playing Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance No. 2". Following the CMF Company looks like a parade of school children in their white protective coats.

Pic #4:     After the celebrations, the Boy Scouts have a Jamboree.

A fitting end to a day filled with excitement.

Posted by Project Leader at 3:22 PM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 11 June 2008 7:18 PM EADT

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The Battle of Diamond Hill

South Africa, 11 - 12 June 1900

 The Times Account, 15 June 1900

The account is transcribed below.

THE BATTLE NEAR PRETORIA.

RETREAT OF BOTHA'S ARMY.

The following despatches have been received at the War Office from Lord Roberts :

Pretoria, June 13, 9.55 a.m.

We were engaged all yesterday with Botha's army. The enemy fought with considerable determination, and held our cavalry on both flanks, but Ian Hamilton, assisted by the Guards Brigade of Pole-Carew's Division, pushing forward took the hill in his front, which caused the enemy to fall back on a second position eastward.

This they are still holding, and it is slightly higher than the one we have captured.

The great extent of country which has to be covered under modern couditions of warfare renders progress very slow.

Details of casualties have not reached me, but I understand moderate in number. The only further casualties reported up to date are-wounded, 8th Hussars, Lieut. O'Brien, shoulder; R.A.M.C., Major Hathaway, abdomen; both severe.

June 13, 1 p.m.

June 13, 11 a.m. - The enemy evacuated their strong position during the night, and have retired eastwards.

Buller's force and mine afforded each other mutual' assistance, Our occupation of Pretoria caused numbers of the Boers to withdraw from Lungs Nek, and Buller's advance to Volksrust made them to feel that their rear world shortly be threatened.

[The above appeared in our Second Edition of yesterday.]
 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Diamond Hill, South Africa, 11 - 12 June 1900

The Battle of Diamond Hill, South Africa, 11 - 12 June 1900, Roll of Honour

Boer War, 1899 - 1902  

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 10 April 2011 6:50 PM EADT

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The Battle of Diamond Hill

South Africa, 11  - 12 June 1900

The Times Account, 14 June 1900

The account is transcribed below.

SEVERE FIGHTING.

BOERS ATTACKED NEAR PRETORIA.

VICTORY BY LORD METHUEN.

The following telegram has been received at the War Office from Major-General Knox :

Kroonstad, June 12, 10 50 p.m.

June 12.- I have been requested to forward to you from Lord Roberts the following despatch from Pretoria Residency at 8 a.m. to-day:

(Begins.)

Pretoria, June 12. Pretoria and Johannesburg perfectly quiet, and several of the inhabitants have expressed their gratitude at the peace and order which prevail.

After surrendering the city Botha retired to a place about 15 miles east, on the Middelburg road; he had a small force at first, but during the last few days the numbers increased, and his being so near the town kept up excitement in the country, prevented burghers from laying down their arms, and interfered with the collection of supplies.

It therefore became necessary to attack them. This I did yesterday.
He held a very strong position practically unassailable in front, which enabled him to place the main portion of his troops on his flanks, which he knew from former experience were his vulnerable parts.

I sent French, with Porter's and Dickson's Cavalry Brigades and Hutton's Mounted Infantry round by our left; Ian Hamilton, with Broadwood and Gordon's Cavalry Brigade, Ridley's Mounted Infantry, and Bruce Hamilton's Infantry Brigade, round by our right.

Both columns met with great opposition, but about 3 in the afternoon I saw two of Hamilton's Infantry Battalions advancing to what appeared to be the key of the enemy's defence on their left flank.

This was almost gained before dark, and I ordered the force to bivouac on the ground they had won.

Pole-Carew, with his division, occupied our centre. As I have explained, he could not attack, but he gradually advanced so as to support Ian Hamilton, and, when I left the field, was on the line held by the enemy's outposts in the morning.

I hurried back to get news of Methuen's movements. On hearing that the Free Staters had taken advantage of our crossing the Vaal to interrupt our line of communication, I sent Kitchener with such troops as could then be spared to Ver with orders to push south and communicate with Methuen, who, I knew, had a very compact force in the vicinity of Heilbron. I also despatched special messenger to Methuen to push on with all speed to the main line of railway.

These two officers met at Vredefort Road Station on the evening of the 10th. They marched yesterday to the Rhenoster River, where Methuen gained a complete victory over De Wet, took possession of his camp, and scattered his troops in all directions; he and Kitchener march to-day towards Kroonstad.

Her Majesty's Government need have no apprehension as to the security of the Army in South Africa ; the enemy gained a slight success, which is unfortunate, but this will be remedied very shortly, and it will not take long to repair the damage done to the railway, as the diversions are all in existence. I am now able to hold the line between this and the Rhenoster in strength, and Methuen will arrange to guard onwards as he advances.
Hunter should be at Potchefstroom to-day, and will thence move on Johannesburg.

I have communicated with Buller, who will, no doubt, soon make the presence of his force in the field felt.

Our losses yesterday were not, I trust, serious; but I deplore the death of that gallant soldier the Earl of Airlie. The only other casualties reported as yet are 17th Lancers, Major the Hon. L Fortescue and Lieutenant the Hon. C. Cavendish both killed. (Message ends)

Kroonstad is quite safe.

Further Reading:

The Battle of Diamond Hill, South Africa, 11 - 12 June 1900

The Battle of Diamond Hill, South Africa, 11 - 12 June 1900, Roll of Honour

Boer War, 1899 - 1902  

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 10 April 2011 6:46 PM EADT

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Diaries of AIF Servicemen

Bert Schramm

11 June 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:

Bert Schramm Diary

Finding more about a service person. See:

Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 10 - 16 June 1918

[Click on page for a larger print version.]

Bert Schramm

Tuesday, June 11, 1918

Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley

Bert Schramm's Diary - Have been out on day post all day and things are pretty quiet. A little shelling on both sides.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Cattle, Lieutenant HJ, DCM; and, ten Other Ranks marched in from Reinforcements Camp, Jericho. Situation on front line very quiet. Tel el Truny patrol reported slight enemy movement on Tel el Rishem. Services message received from Chauvel, Lieutenant General Sir HG, that Daly, Major TJ, had been awarded the DSO. Pascoe, Lieutenant WEH, transferred from Staff Trainee, 3rd Light Horse Brigade to Descorps.

 

3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary -

On 11th June an officers' patrol gained touch with the right of the infantry at Nejmeh after a very rough climb.

The enemy in front of No. 4 sub sector showed little activity and remained concealed in the trenches and behind the sangers.

9th LHR AIF War Diary, 11 June

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

No Entry.

Previous: Bert Schramm's Diary, 10 June 1918

Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 12 June 1918

Sources Used:

Bert Schramm's Diary

National 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:

Bert Schramm Diary

Bert Schramm Diary, Album

Bert Schramm's Photo Album

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, 11 June 1918

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 May 2011 10:35 AM EADT

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