Nurses from the Australian Army Nursing Service

Studio group portrait of the first four Queensland nurses selected for the Australian Army Nursing Service. Left to right, seated: Sister Bertha Mary Williams, Sister Eunice Muriel Harriett Paten. Left to right, standing: Sister Constance Mabel Keys, Sister Julia Mary Hart. Along with 9th Infantry Battalion, these four nurses sailed on HMAT Omrah A5, the first troopship to depart Pinkenba Wharf, Brisbane for Europe on 24 September 1914. Sister (later Acting Matron) Paten was awarded the Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC) on 27 November 1918. Sister Williams was also awarded the ARRC on 25 July 1917. Sister Hart was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) on 23 May 1919 and MID (Mention in Despatches) in 1918. Sister Keys was awarded the ARRC on 29 June 1917, the French Medaille Des Epidemies, Gold, on 17 June 1919, the RRC on 15 September 1919 and two MIDs on 19 April 1917 and 23 May 1919.