WW1 British BEF Stretcher Bearer Trade Patch

The WW1 British BEF Stretcher Bearer Trade Patch represents the insignia worn by members of the British Expeditionary Force who served as stretcher bearers during the First World War. This patch is typically manufactured from khaki wool cloth and features a Geneva Cross, usually in red, to denote the bearer’s role in providing first aid and casualty evacuation on the battlefield. Stretcher bearers were assigned to infantry units and held an essential position in the chain of battlefield medical care, responsible for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire and transporting them to aid posts. The trade patch was worn on the uniform sleeve to signify qualification and assignment to stretcher bearer duties. Regulations regarding the issuance and display of trade patches were set by the War Office, and such insignia became a recognized feature of military dress during the conflict. This piece reflects the vital contributions of non-combatant personnel in the British Army during World War I.