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
Friday, July 19, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - We were out all night last night but have been in camp all day. The heat is something awful.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 19 July 1918
Saturday, July 20, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things have been pretty busy with artillery fire and we have had some casualties. We were out on a working party until midnight and were heavily shelled.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 20 July 1918
Sunday, July 21, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Squadron went out and demounted tonight. I am on guard but will join them tomorrow. We had good news from France today also had a letter from Jim.
[Jim was 5752 Corporal James Kintore SCHRAMM, 10th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement.]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 21 July 1918
Monday, July 22, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are fairly quiet except for artillery fire on both sides. Our horses have gone back near Jericho.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 22 July 1918
Tuesday, July 23, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - More home mails have arrived today. Things generally are fairly quiet but the artillery have been busy.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 23 July 1918
Wednesday, July 24, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Had a quiet day but fair amount of artillery firing at intervals. We had to go out tonight burying enemy dead. Rather a gruesome job.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 24 July 1918
Thursday, July 25, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Madhbeh, Jordan Valley, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Lots of shelling this afternoon otherwise things have been quiet.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 25 July 1918