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    3AGH and 2ASH depart Lemnos

    With the Gallipoli campaign having drawn to a close, the advanced military base at Lemnos was wound back.

    Australia’s two hospitals were packed up. 2ASH departed Mudros Harbour on HMT Dunvegan Castle on 17 January, 3AGH on HMT Oxfordshire four days later, on 21 January.

    The nurses surely left with mixed feelings. They had experienced war’s horror and deprivations, yet Lemnos had brought new experiences and unfamiliar liberties.

    ‘We have just seen the last of Lemnos. Of course we are glad – yet there are many things we will miss – the unconventional freedom for one and the unique experiences we had there ... Goodbye Lemnos – We take many happy memories of you. I would not have liked to miss you, yet I have no desire to see you again.’

    – Staff Nurse Anne Donnell, diary, 21 Jan. 1916
    Staff watch the lowering of the flag at 3AGH, in preparation for departure from Lemnos.
    Staff watch the lowering of the flag at 3AGH in preparation for departure from Lemnos. J01519 - Australian War Memorial
    Evacuation of the 3AGH nurses, staff and officers on a barge. Sister Betha McMillan (seventh from right in front row) holds a kitten in her arms.
    Evacuation of the 3AGH nurses, staff and officers on a barge. Sister Betha McMillan (seventh from the right in the front row) holds a kitten in her arms. J01507 - Australian War Memorial
    The 3AGH nurses, staff and officers pose for a group portrait while waiting at the pier, ready for their evacuation to Egypt.
    The 3AGH nurses, staff and officers pose for a group portrait while waiting at the pier, ready for their evacuation to Egypt. J01508 - Australian War Memorial
    The 3AGH nurses, medical staff and officers onboard a barge bound for their transport ship. They sailed on the Oxfordshire to Egypt.
    The 3AGH nurses, medical staff and officers on board a barge bound for their transport ship. They sailed on the Oxfordshire to Egypt. J01504 - Australian War Memorial
    Dismantling and preparing 3AGH equipment, ready for evacuation.

    MEN DISMANTLE AND PREPARE 3AGH EQUIPMENT READY FOR EVACUATION. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    Clearing and packing wards and equipment for evacuating Lemnos.

    MEN CLEAR AND PACK THE WARDS AND EQUIPMENT FOR EVACUATING LEMNOS. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    Bad weather hampered efforts to pack and evacuate 3AGH.

    BAD WEATHER HAMPERED EFFORTS TO PACK AND EVACUATE 3AGH. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    Hospital equipment stacked on the shore and ready for transport.

    HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT IS STACKED ON THE SHORE AND READY FOR TRANSPORT. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW