The Role of the Stretcher Bearer
Thousands of men suffered in the trenches during WW1 - a possible project for your primary school might be the service given by the stretcher bearers. Some were members of the Royal Army Medical Corps, others came from the individual regiments.
This poem was written by Corporal W. H. Atkins from the WORCESTERSHIRE Regiment:
We are the men who carry them back,
The wounded , the dying and dead.
It's "Halt!" "Dressing Here!" - "Come, buck up, old dear,"
You're al right for "Blighty," so be of good cheer -
"Turn him gently now, bandage his head."
The "stretcher-bearers" doing their bit,
Of *V.C.s, not many they score,
Yet are earned every day in a quiet sort of way
By the "Royal Army Medical Corps."
*VC refers to the Victoria Cross
This poem was written by Corporal W. H. Atkins from the WORCESTERSHIRE Regiment:
We are the men who carry them back,
The wounded , the dying and dead.
It's "Halt!" "Dressing Here!" - "Come, buck up, old dear,"
You're al right for "Blighty," so be of good cheer -
"Turn him gently now, bandage his head."
The "stretcher-bearers" doing their bit,
Of *V.C.s, not many they score,
Yet are earned every day in a quiet sort of way
By the "Royal Army Medical Corps."
*VC refers to the Victoria Cross
Bill Coltman (pictured above) NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE Regiment - the most decorated (other rank) in the entire British Army.
Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman VC was a stretcher bearer in the 1/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Born and brought up in Rangemore near to Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. He left his hometown to serve along the Western Front from 1915 - 1918. During his service he became the most decorated other rank serving in the entire British Army. In the last two years of the war he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal twice, and Military Medal twice, all whilst acting as a stretcher-bearer.
He is wrongly often called a conscientious objector. Despite his strong Christian beliefs he volunteered to serve his local infantry regiment for frontline service duties. He received his full training package and served time in the front line trenches before volunteering to become a regimental stretcher bearer. He remained with the North Staffordshire Regiment for his entire war service.
The Staffordshire Regiment museum in Whittington near Litchfield is a fount for information for all primary school teachers and their pupils across the country who are looking to research projects linked to WW1. The Curator is Danielle Crozier who will be delighted to hear from schools to arrange visits to the museum where they can walk the trenches and also learn from the exhibits and memorabilia which is on display.
Please see the website which is www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
Liverpool
Noel Chavass was a RAMC doctor, an Olympic athlete, he was one of ONLY THREE people to be awarded a Victoria Cross.
Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman VC was a stretcher bearer in the 1/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Born and brought up in Rangemore near to Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. He left his hometown to serve along the Western Front from 1915 - 1918. During his service he became the most decorated other rank serving in the entire British Army. In the last two years of the war he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal twice, and Military Medal twice, all whilst acting as a stretcher-bearer.
He is wrongly often called a conscientious objector. Despite his strong Christian beliefs he volunteered to serve his local infantry regiment for frontline service duties. He received his full training package and served time in the front line trenches before volunteering to become a regimental stretcher bearer. He remained with the North Staffordshire Regiment for his entire war service.
The Staffordshire Regiment museum in Whittington near Litchfield is a fount for information for all primary school teachers and their pupils across the country who are looking to research projects linked to WW1. The Curator is Danielle Crozier who will be delighted to hear from schools to arrange visits to the museum where they can walk the trenches and also learn from the exhibits and memorabilia which is on display.
Please see the website which is www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
Liverpool
Noel Chavass was a RAMC doctor, an Olympic athlete, he was one of ONLY THREE people to be awarded a Victoria Cross.
Handsworth, Birmingham
Charles Herbert Horton was also a member of RAMC and a stretcher bearer who survived the First World War. His book 'Stretcher Bearer'
is published by LION.
West Riding, Yorkshire
Private Ernest Gregory of the 1/3rd Field Regiment was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery for bringing in wounded men in terrible conditions - under fire and much filled water up to the armpits.
Who were the stretcher bearers from your area?
Do they still have family links with people in your local community?
Charles Herbert Horton was also a member of RAMC and a stretcher bearer who survived the First World War. His book 'Stretcher Bearer'
is published by LION.
West Riding, Yorkshire
Private Ernest Gregory of the 1/3rd Field Regiment was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery for bringing in wounded men in terrible conditions - under fire and much filled water up to the armpits.
Who were the stretcher bearers from your area?
Do they still have family links with people in your local community?