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    No. 3 Australian General Hospital

    Location

    The military brass believed the August offensive would break the deadlock at Gallipoli. In readiness, No. 3 Australian General Hospital (3AGH) was established at Lemnos to treat wounded Anzacs.

    It would build on the capacity of 1ASH and 2ASH, and its medical team included (initially) 80 nurses. Among its staff were a solicitor, a pastry cook, farmers, carpenters, grocers, teachers and accountants. Some were medical students, others experienced wardsmen, dentists and chemists. Several claimed first-aid knowledge or nursing experience.

    As 3AGH came ashore, so too did the waves of wounded. The challenges were overwhelming. There was little in the way of medical supplies, as the ship carrying them was delayed by weeks. Patient accommodation was barely existent and there was no supply of fresh water.

    Staff did what they could with the little they had in those first weeks. But they soon established a well-run hospital.

    Sydney surgeon Colonel Thomas Fiaschi was commander of 3AGH. Lieutenant Colonel James Dick was second in charge. Matron Grace Wilson was responsible for the hospital’s nursing staff.

    ‘Found 150 patients lying on the ground – no equipment whatever … had no water to drink or wash.’
    Landed hospital equipment awaiting delivery.

    LANDED HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT AWAITING DELIVERY. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    Equipment was conveyed from barges to the hospital by horse-drawn drays.

    EQUIPMENT WAS CONVEYED FROM BARGES TO THE HOSPITAL BY HORSE-DRAWN DRAYS. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    The first patients from Lone Pine shelter under canvas at 3AGH before wards have been erected.

    THE FIRST PATIENTS FROM LONE PINE SHELTER UNDER CANVAS AT 3AGH BEFORE WARDS WERE ERECTED. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    3AGH, complete with its bisecting roadway.

    3AGH, WITH ITS BISECTING ROADWAY. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    The 3AGH operating tent and staff.

    THE 3AGH OPERATING TENT AND STAFF. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    A ward interior during 3AGH’s early days. Note that some patients’ mattresses were laid directly on the ground.

    A WARD INTERIOR DURING 3AGH’S EARLY DAYS. NOTE THAT SOME PATIENTS’ MATTRESSES WERE LAID DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    In time, 3AGH’s wards became properly equipped, with patients treated on beds rather than on the ground.

    IN TIME, 3AGH’S WARDS BECAME PROPERLY EQUIPPED, WITH PATIENTS TREATED ON BEDS RATHER THAN ON THE GROUND. nM7Bo6ZY - STATE LIBRARY NSW

    A group of medical orderlies pose with a motor car at 3AGH.
    A group of medical orderlies pose with a motor car at 3AGH. J01529 - Australian War Memorial