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Ashford Litter and Furley Stretcher

As the first Director of Stores, Sir John Furley both sourced and developed the materials and equipment needed by St John Ambulance. This included enhancing existing military stretcher and litter designs for civilian use, prioritising ergonomics for the user and comfort of the patient. The ‘U’ shaped axel enabled the stretcher to be detached and carried through, rather than lifted over, the litter.

This object is on display

Object type: Medical and First Aid Equipment
Date: In use: Late 19th century - early 20th century
Production (possible): 1880 - 1881
Designer: Sir John Furley (1836 - 1919)
Manufacturer: Messrs Marshall Brothers
W. Daniels (active 1880s)
Subject(s): St John Ambulance Association (1877 - 1968)
St John Ambulance Brigade (1887 - 1968)
Transport
Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 1430 x 790 x 1860mm
Materials and technique: Wood, metal, canvas and India rubber
Production place: England
Ashford
References: Foakes, Tom, ed. Treasures: Faith, Care, Valour: Highlights from the Collection of the Museum of the Order of St John. Priory of England and the Islands of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, 2019.
Pages 108 - 109

LeCornu, Peter and Ian Howie-Willis. 'What's in a name? The ancient, peculiar case of 'St John Ambulance'.' In One St John: The International Historical Journal of the Most Venerable Order of St John. Volume 5. London: St John International, 2019. Accessed September 13, 2024. https://www.stjohninternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OSJ5.pdf
Pages 43 - 44
Catalogue number: 2013.55