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
Saturday, July 13, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Cairo, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Took the kits out to the store today. Haven't done much else. Am going back in the morning.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 13 July 1918
Sunday, July 14, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Moascar, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Caught the 11 am train from Cairo. Arrived at Moascar about 2PM. I am staying here tonight.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 14 July 1918
Monday, July 15, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kantara, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Caught the 10 am train to Kantara, crossed the canal and caught the 1 pm train up and will travel all night.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 15 July 1918
Tuesday, July 16, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Jerusalem, Egypt.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Arrived at Ludd about 3.45 this morning and caught the 7.30 train to Jerusalem. Arrived here about 1 pm and am staying at the local corps detail camp.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 16 July 1918
Wednesday, July 17, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Came out to Jericho by motor lorry this morning and arrived at the Regiment at night. There was a pretty severe engagement fought here yesterday. We had a good win and captured several hundred German prisoners. We lost lots of horses and the smell of dead things is very high. We are in support.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 17 July 1918
Thursday, July 18, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - I received a batch of mail today but am afraid I won't have time to answer it now. Have to work my night until midnight and the last in the day is inline.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 18 July 1918