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
Sunday, October 27, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are still quiet. Rumours of Turkey suing for peace and the news from France is exceptionally good etc. But Toby invalided. We moved from camp at 9.30 this morning and tonight we are camped around a small village called Harista about four miles north of Damascus on the Aleppo Road. Confirmed officially that Aleppo had been occupied by our troops on 24th inst. Aleppo is nearly two hundred miles from Damascus.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 27 October 1918
Monday, October 28, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Jobar
Bert Schramm's Diary - We left Harista at 9.30 this morning and came on about twelve miles and camped near the village called Khan Ayash.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 28 October 1918
Tuesday, October 29, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kuteife
Bert Schramm's Diary - Left camp this morning at 6.30 and travelled about thirteen miles and camped near a village called Kuteife. Weather fine.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 29 October 1918
Wednesday, October 30, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Nebk, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - Left Kuteife this morning at 6 am and came on and are camped near the village of Nebk. Travelled about twenty miles.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 30 October 1918
Thursday, October 31, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Masie, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - Left Nebk at 6 am and came on about nine miles to a village called Kara and watered. We are travelling all night tonight and expect to reach Homs early tomorrow morning, We have heard officially today that Turkey has been granted a five day armistice and hostilities ceased at noon today. I feel sure Turkey will get peace. Twelve months ago today we were fighting at Beersheba.
[See: The Battle of Beersheba.]
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 31 October 1918