WW1 British BEF Medical Medic Stretcher Bearer Patch (2)

The WW1 British BEF Medical Medic Stretcher Bearer Patch is a cloth insignia issued to members of the British Expeditionary Force serving as medical personnel during the First World War. Worn on the uniform, this patch identified individuals assigned the role of stretcher bearer, responsible for providing first aid and evacuating wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Typically rendered in khaki or dark blue wool and shaped as an armband or rectangular patch, it commonly featured the Geneva Cross or a similar medical emblem stitched in contrasting red thread. The design followed War Office regulations for distinguishing non-combatant medical staff, ensuring their protected status under international law. The presence of this patch aided in coordinating battlefield medical services and contributed to the organization of stretcher bearer squads within regiments. Original examples are sought after by collectors for their historical significance and as representations of the medical services in the British Army during the Great War.