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.
For a comprehensive listing of photographs in the album, see:
Should any further details be sought, see Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
Bert Schramm's Diary commences with this note in the front:
Dear Bertthis is not a proper diary but will do just as well I think its Else's book she never uses it and says she don't want it. I will try and send you a proper one later.
From Roy.
Lucy sent you a parcel the other day Mother put a book and pencil and a few other things in it.
XXXXXXXXX From Nan.
Tuesday, May 28, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things generally fairly quiet. A mail arrived today and had a fair number of letters.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 28 May 1918
Wednesday, May 29, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Received several more letters today including one from Fred saying he had been wounded again. Everything is fairly quiet.
[Note: Fred was 5751 Pte Frederick Lincoln Schramm, 48th Infantry Battalion, AIF. He was wounded in France for the third time on 3 May 1918.]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 29 May 1918
Thursday, May 30, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Have been out on day patrol all day. Things much the same as usual.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 30 May 1918
Friday, May 31, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing much doing. Weather terribly hot.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 31 May 1918
Saturday, June 1, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Day Patrol. Had a bit of a brush with enemy outposts but no one hurt.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 1 June 1918
Sunday, June 2, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Auja bridgehead defences, Jordan River
Bert Schramm's Diary - Sun. Enemy aeroplanes raided one camp this morning at 5.15. About twelve planes dropped about sixty bombs but not much damage done. No losses suffered.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 2 June 1918
Monday, June 3, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ain Ed Duk, Jordan Valley
Bert Schramm's Diary - Moved from Jordan heights at 7 pm and came back towards Jericho and all camped right under the Mount of Temptation. We are relieving 2nd Brigade
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 3 June 1918