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, September 28, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Kuneitra
Bert Schramm's Diary - We pushed on about twelve miles along the Damascus road with slight opposition to a village called Kuneitra. Our Scout Troops reconnoitred to a village about six miles further on and were fired on by the native inhabitants. We then retired to Kuneitra and are camped there for the night.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 28 September 1918
Sunday, September 29, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Kuneitra
Bert Schramm's Diary - We left Kuneitra about 5 pm and travelled along the Damascus road about 5 miles and were held up by the enemy. Had some hard fighting and the night was very dark. Our casualties were not heavy but the 9th had eight men taken prisoner, Bert King [Author's note: King, 552 Sergeant AE] amongst them.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 29 September 1918
Monday, September 30, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Khan esh Shiha; Dumar
Bert Schramm's Diary - We pushed on all day towards Damascus and we had sharp fighting all day. Tonight we are on the outskirts of Damascus. Enemy has been burning all dumps, wireless station etc. It is a great sight to see tonight. We have been firing into a village north west of the town which is pretty full of the enemy.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 30 September 1918
Tuesday, October 1, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Dumar; Damascus; Marista el Basal; Khan Ayash
Bert Schramm's Diary - A day to be remembered, the fall of Damascus. We came through the village we were firing into last night and I never saw such an awful sight in my life. The streets were blocked with dead and wounded. We then came on through the main town and received a great welcome from the civilian people. We travelled pretty fast through the town and are pursuing the enemy who are retiring along the Aleppo road. Several thousand prisoners were taken today also artillery etc. The total number of prisoners taken since we started is something over sixty thousand.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 1 October 1918