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
Tuesday, August 27, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Have had a quiet time today and the weather here is splendid after the Jordan Valley.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 27 August 1918
Wednesday, August 28, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Moved our camp a little today and are now camped in a nice olive grove. Quite an ideal spot.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 28 August 1918
Thursday, August 29, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - We are still having a spell but it won't last much longer as we are all being issued with swords, as we will soon be doing sword drill.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 29 August 1918
Friday, August 30, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Good news from France today things are looking much better. Saw planes brought down. Two enemy machines today.
[See: The Pasha Units on the Southern Front]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 30 August 1918
Saturday, August 31, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Inspection of the C/O [Commanding Officer] today otherwise nothing doing.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 31 August 1918
Sunday, September 1, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Sun. Nothing worth recording. Drill starts tomorrow.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 1 September 1918
Monday, September 2, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Drill started this morning Revile at 4.30, do an hour drill before breakfast and then from 9 am until noon so we are kept pretty busy and a lot of men are going away sick.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 2 September 1918
Tuesday, September 3, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Ludd area, Palestine.
Bert Schramm's Diary - Cavalry drill is going to keep us busy while we are here. More men went away sick today.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 3 September 1918