WW1 Stretcher

The stretcher used during the First World War, while appearing deceptively simple, was a carefully thought-out piece of battlefield equipment. Though there was no single inventor credited with its creation, the design used during WW1 was the result of decades of refinement in military medicine. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century, evolving through conflicts like the Crimean War and the Boer War. By the time WW1 erupted in 1914, the stretcher had become standardized in many armies, including the British and French, as part of their field medical equipment.

In the British Army, stretcher specifications were set by the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), which worked closely with the War Office to define and update the materials and dimensions. These specifications were then sent to manufacturers across the United Kingdom for mass production. Several companies, including those that traditionally produced furniture or military equipment, were repurposed to meet the demand. Workshops in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow became key production hubs. The sheer scale of the war meant that tens of thousands of stretchers were required—some estimates suggest that over a million were produced throughout the course of the conflict to supply the British and Commonwealth forces alone.

The typical WW1 stretcher was made with a hardwood frame, often using ash or hickory. These woods were chosen for their favorable strength-to-weight ratio. Ash in particular was preferred due to its resilience, flexibility, and relatively low cost. It could bear the weight of a wounded soldier while remaining light enough for two men to carry over long distances. In some cases, where hardwood was in short supply, substitute woods like beech or oak were used, though these were heavier and less ideal. The wooden poles were usually round or slightly flattened for better grip and maneuverability.

The canvas or duck cloth slung between the poles was tightly stretched and sewn into place, typically made from strong cotton fabric treated to be resistant to moisture. This cloth had to be robust enough to hold even the heaviest wounded soldiers and to endure rough handling in field conditions. Some stretchers were fitted with leather straps or belts to secure the casualty during transport, particularly on uneven ground or when being moved to a horse-drawn ambulance or rail car.

Production numbers soared during the major offensives of the war, with manufacturing ramping up significantly in 1916 and 1917 during the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele. The heavy casualties from these and other engagements drove demand not only for stretchers but for stretcher-related equipment such as bearer harnesses and folding types for use in confined trench spaces.

Beyond their practical use, stretchers became a symbol of care amidst destruction. They were used in nearly every phase of a wounded soldier’s evacuation—from the front lines to dressing stations, and even into hospitals behind the lines. Many were reused again and again, often patched or reinforced, stained by blood and mud but vital to the medical system of the time.

Although the identities of the individual craftsmen and factory workers who built these stretchers have largely faded into history, their work had a profound impact.