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, October 5, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - 2½ miles south west El Mezze
Bert Schramm's Diary - Settled down to camp this morning but don't know how long it will last. Lots of men going sick and many of the horses have sore backs so a few days spell will be good for everyone.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 5 October 1918
Sunday, October 6, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Mudhamiye
Bert Schramm's Diary - Have had a good days rest today and we have a splendid camp amongst the trees. Rations are fairly scarce.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 6 October 1918
Monday, October 7, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Mudhamiye
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing doing. Things have settled down somewhat. Our troops have occupied Beirut on the coast.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 7 October 1918
Tuesday, October 8, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Mudhamiye
Bert Schramm's Diary - Still resting. A terrible lot of sickness amongst the troops. Mostly fever in a bad form.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 8 October 1918
Wednesday, October 9, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - El Mudhamiye
Bert Schramm's Diary - We moved about four miles further west of Damascus today hoping to find a healthier camping ground.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 9 October 1918
Thursday, October 10, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Things are still quiet. Summons of another move forward. Numbers of men going sick. Toby went to FA [Field Ambulance] this afternoon and seems pretty ill. Received a parcel from Lucy today.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 10 October 1918
Friday, October 11, 1918
Bert Schramm's Location - Kaukab
Bert Schramm's Diary - Nothing doing. Sickness is causing alarm. About 75% of the Brigade are down with fever, dysentery etc. and there have been several deaths from cholera.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 11 October 1918