"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
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Friday, 27 June 2008
Mount Gambier Fallen Soldier's Memorial Ceremony, 13 September 1914 Topic: Gen - St - SA
Mount Gambier citizens took 12 years to unveil a memorial to the six men from the region who were Killed in Action during the Boer War. The description of the event from the Mount Gambier Border Watch speaks for itself. It is interesting reading up on the lives of the individual soldiers mentioned in the story. The Australians in the Boer War Oz-Boer Database Project is the best source for this as the web site is constantly updated from information supplied by many volunteers.
Mount Gambier Border Watch, 16 September 1914, p. 2.
Military Order 44, 1907 Topic: Militia - Military Orders
This list points to the future leadership cadre of the AIF. One name illustrates the leadership potential of these men of promise who took this exam - that of Edmund Alfred Drake-Brockman from Western Australia. He became Commanding Officer of the 16th Infantry Battalion. He was also wounded by shrapnel at Gallipoli on 16 July 1915. Citation: Military Order 44, 1907
Australian Boer War Propaganda, Punch, 9 January 1902 Topic: GW - Propaganda
In an effort to disparage those who felt that the Boer War was somehow conducted criminally in terms of the concentration camps, the British tried to counter the stories with their varnished version of the truth. In a cartoon series, ironically titled "The Truth, The Whole Truth and anything but the truth" it aimed to present the German view next to the actual British view in an effort to demonstrate that the German propaganda was designed to denigrate the best efforts of the British in South Africa. Looking back on this cartoon series with the ability of hindsight, it is obvious that the presentation is risible at many levels. That it was required says a great deal about how the war was proceeding in South Africa. The distaste is evident thus requiring this type of response.
It would appear that the Melbourne Punch did not see any irony in their presentation of the "truth", something which lies somewhere in between the two extremes presented in this cartoon presentation.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 27 June 1918 Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
27 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:
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:
The following entries are extracted and transcribed from the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, the originals of which are held by the Australian War Memorial. There are 366 entries on this site. Each day has entries as they occurred from 1914 to 1919. In addition to the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, when appropriate, entries from the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary and other regiments with the Brigade will also appear. Entries from the unit history, Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924 will also appear from time to time. The aim is to give the broadest context to the story and allow the reader to follow the day to day activities of the regiment. If a relative happened to have served in the regiment during the Great War, then this provides a general framework in which the individual story may be told.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Turks opened a violent bombardment of No 4 Section lasting for an hour. There was also a certain amount of rifle fire. Apparently about 10 guns were used - two 6 inch, two 4 inch, and six guns about 18 pounders. The Regiment lost 3 men slightly wounded. The communication trenches were "blown in" in a number of places but were promptly repaired.
The epidemic of influenza appears to have abated.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - Heavy and furious bombardment of our trenches with rifle fire at 0500. Several guns, two Howitzers and 75's included. Some 500 shells fell in communication and fire trenches in less than two hours. Howitzers did much damage. Some men buried and were dug out. No safety from high explosive shells. Casualties: 8th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel white wounded, Major Gugny Second in Command; Captain Crook killed by shells also three others of same regiment and sixteen wounded by shells. 9th Light Horse Regiment, four wounded. Auckland Mounted Rifles, 3 wounded. Colonel NM White VC instructed by New Zealand and Australian Division to take over temporary command of B and C during absence on sick leave of Colonel FG Hughes. Colonel White called. Attended funeral of above.
Kenneth Alan McKenzie Diary - Rest. At 0515 Turks bombarded 8th and 9th sections of trenches. 75s and 6" Howitzer and shrapnel till 0545. Rifle and Machine Gun fire. 9th lucky 2 wounded. 8th Light Horse Regiment lost seven killed, 15 wounded, several seriously. Colonel White wounded. Major Gregory and Captain Crowl killed.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Routine training and patrol work.
Regiment inspected - mounted.
1917
Wednesday, June 27, 1917
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - El Shellal
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Regimental Operations Order issued.
The Regiment arrived at 0330 found the Column, south of 8th Light Horse Regiment camp - at El Gamli. The 8th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Naga el Sieisi and the 9th Light Horse Regiment, two troops of the 3rd Machine Gun Squadron and Section of Field Ambulance moved down the wadi to Bir el Esani. By 0730, “B” Squadron was in position from road north of Reshid Bek to and including the Wadi Im'alaga and “A” Squadron from the wadi through Point 750 to Point 680, Square AG.
Enemy patrols, Cavalry were encountered two or three miles east of Bir el Esani but they withdrew to an observation point in the vicinity of Abu Yahia.
Touch was obtained with the 4th Light Horse Regiment on the left and the 8th Light Horse Regiment on the Right.
At 1330 the 8th Light Horse Regiment withdrew and at 1430 the outpost line withdrew through “A” Squadron which formed the rear guard and moved off to camp arriving at 1830.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Sharp, Lieutenant RC, admitted to hospital from Alexandria leave.
Orders issued for daily leave party to visit Bethlehem.
1919
Friday, June 27, 1919
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Tel el Kebir
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0600, the following animals were taken to No 3 Remount Depot, Belbeis, under escort of Lawrence, Lieutenant H; and, 45 Other Ranks: Rides 113, Draughts 14, Packs 3, and Mules 1. This leaves us with four horses only. [Entries ear marked for the 10th Light Horse Regiment Races.]
1300, Lawrence, Lieutenant H; and, party returned from Belbeis.
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