stretcher-bearer

American  

[strech-er-bair-er] / ˈstrɛtʃ ərˌbɛər ər /

noun

1. a person who helps carry a stretcher, as in removing wounded from a battlefield.

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stretcher-bearer British  

noun

1. a person who helps to carry a stretcher, esp in wartime

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Etymology

Origin of stretcher-bearer

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

He was sent to Belgium in February 1915 and became a stretcher-bearer.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2016

A stretcher-bearer at Leeds general hospital commented on the award of his OBE: "They often say he's a bit of a twit. Us, we say he's a bit of a bloody saint."

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2014

However, he spent most of his war in the dangerous role of stretcher-bearer, and doing it he died.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2014

Ambitious, ruthless Kit, who goes out as a stretcher-bearer, thinks of war as "a painting opportunity".

From The Guardian • Aug. 10, 2012

Assisted by another stretcher-bearer, the hero of this incident endeavoured to convey the wounded man to the A.D.S.

From Over the Top With the Third Australian Division by McBeath, Neil