Josiah Barnes collection of First World War negatives and prints

The Australian transport vessel HMAT Medic prepares to leave the wharf at Port Melbourne. The deck of the ship is crowded with soldiers, many of whom have streamers held by their family and friends farewelling them from the wharf. Note the two Red Cross flags, probably held by members of the 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance. The ship is carrying a wide variety of reinforcements, inlcuding members of the 23rd Reinforcements, 14th Battalion; 6th Reinforcements, 37th Battalion; 6th Reinforcements, 38th Battalion; 8th Reinforcements, 58th Battalion; 8th Reinforcements, 59th Battalion; 8th Reinforcements, 60th Battalion; 23rd Reinforcements, 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance; 8th Reinforcements, 6th Machine Gun Company; 8th Reinforcements, 7th Machine Gun Company; 8th Reinforcements, 8th Machine Gun Company; 8th Reinforcements, 12th Machine Gun Company; 8th Reinforcements, 13th Machine Gun Company and 18th Reinforcements, 2nd Divisional Signal Company. The ship called into Sydney and picked up two medical officers and nine members of the Army Medical Corps before heading off for England and subsequently France and Belgium.