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, November 5, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Homs, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - More good news today. Official news says we are now at peace with Austria. Hostilities ceased at 4 pm yesterday. Haven't heard the terms but believe it amounts to unconditional surrender and we have full access of manoeuvring through Austria to attack Germany from that way. But the general opinion is that Germany will have peace also within a few weeks. We are moving to Tripoli tomorrow, a small town near the coast sixty eight miles from here.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 5 November 1918
Wednesday, November 6, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Homs, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - We left Homs at 5.30 tonight and travelled fourteen miles and camped at a place called Umm Hartein. Good roads but country very rough and hilly. No fresh news through today.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 6 November 1918
Thursday, November 7, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Umm Hartein, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - We moved on again this morning at 6 am and travelled about thirteen miles and camped at Tel el Kale. Very barren country.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 7 November 1918
Friday, November 8, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Tel el Kale, Syria
Bert Schramm's Diary - Moved on again this morning and travelled about eighteen miles through much better country and camped near the beach north of Tripoli. There are the beautiful flats along the coast and the country is intensely cultivated.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 8 November 1918
Saturday, November 9, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Mejdelaya, Tripoli
Bert Schramm's Diary - Moved on again this morning travelling close to the coast all the way to Tripoli which is a fairly decent little town and there is also a landing place there and our boats are unloading supplies. We then travelled about four miles south east of the town and are camping in the hills amongst the olive groves and we believe we are here for the winter. The country looks very pretty around here. Very hilly but most of the hills are covered with olives. No official war news though but plenty of rumours.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 9 November 1918