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
Wednesday, September 18, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area
Bert Schramm's Diary - The brigade moved onto Selmieh near Jaffa tonight. The big offensive starts very soon and the infantry make the first attack.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 September 1918
Thursday, September 19, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - J31
Bert Schramm's Diary - Terrific bombardment started at 4.30 this morning and the infantry gained all their objectives. All the mounted troops moved forward and are keeping them moving. We have been travelling all day and will probably travel all night. Fair numbers of prisoners and guns have been taken.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 19 September 1918
Friday, September 20, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Khirbit Shumrah
Bert Schramm's Diary - Travelled nearly all last night. Hundreds more prisoners taken. One objective now is a place called Jenin and we will probably get there some time tonight enemy main railway communications have already been cut in several places.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 20 September 1918
Saturday, September 21, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Jenin
Bert Schramm's Diary -We took a railway centre last evening called El Jenin and have the enemy properly on the run. He is badly demoralised. Our Brigade captured five thousand prisoners this afternoon. We are holding all roads leading from this town. Today at 3 pm our prisoners numbered something over seven thousand.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 21 September 1918
Sunday, September 22, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Jenin
Bert Schramm's Diary - We have been gathering up prisoners and even material all day around Jenin and we are moving on towards El Affule tonight. Affule is a big railway centre and was captured by the 4th Division yesterday.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 22 September 1918