walking wounded

noun

casualties, as of a military conflict, who are wounded but ambulatory.
Informal. persons who have been damaged or defeated psychologically or emotionally by their experiences in life.

Origin of walking wounded

First recorded in 1915–20

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

The central hall remained, and the Red Triangle was on it, marking it out as a centre for walking wounded.
The Romance of the Red Triangle | Arthur Keysall Yapp
I then made my way up to the dressing-station to see if the Medical Officer required our services for the walking wounded.
Notes of a Camp-Follower on the Western Front | E. W. Hornung
No “walking wounded” appeared to come to this particular dressing-station.
Cupid in Africa | P. C. Wren
For instance, a British officer among the walking wounded never goes ahead of his men to have his wounds dressed.
The Silent Readers | William D. Lewis
In front of the archway and in the road stood two "padrés" directing the continuous flow of stretchers and walking wounded.
Attack | Edward G. D. Liveing

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