Forum Topic

London’s Stretcher Railings

I learned something new about London in today’s Mail Online, as I had never heard about London’s Stretcher Railings before: ”The everyday street object that helped save hundreds of lives in WW2:  How London’s little known ‘stretcher fences’ were used to carry wounded civilians during the Blitz”. There is a map showing their locations on the “Look Up London” website and the nearest I can find is Union Grove on the Springfield Estate.  There’s even a Stretcher Railing Society.  This photo is off the Look Up London website.

Martine Guy ● 67d9 Comments

Martine, you might have already done this, but if you google Stretcher railings used WW2, it brings up a lot about this and a young lady in a video. This was the clip I had seen a few months ago on Fbook.

Barbara Stevens ● 66d

That is interesting, thank you Martine.Another really good site is The Londonist (https://londonist.com/), which sends out an email every week listing things to do and see in the capital. Just one example we found recently pointed to the model of the old London Bridge at church of St Magnus the Martyr, very close to the site of the original, but there are always interesting ideas there.

Richard Carter ● 66d

Thanks Michael.  It’s something we have always meant to do.  I know we would really enjoy it and it’s a great way to get our daily steps in too.

Martine Guy ● 66d

We've done several, mainly in the City - as friend is a registered City tour guide - and we did pay for them! They've all been good. We did a couple of Duck Tours as well - I think when friends were visiting London, fortunately the didn't sink - but the commentaries were strange. (Not sure if they were meant to be funny but they contained a number of inaccuracies. )

Michael Ixer ● 66d

It’s amazing there is even a London Stretcher Railings Society.  Who’d have thought it!  I love little facts like this, it makes London even more interesting. By the way, I found “Look Up London” when I was searching for a stretcher railing photo on Google.  They do walking tours of London neighbourhoods, something I have never been on and I am sure I would really enjoy.  Anyone ever done a walking tour?

Martine Guy ● 66d

Thanks,Martine.  Interesting, I've not come across this before. 

Michael Ixer ● 66d

Thank you, Martine. I had not heard about them before!

Ivonne Holliday ● 67d

Mail Online regarding the design of the railings which had “ Curved legs at the top and bottom to help people set the victim down without them resting on the ground”.  Simple but clever.

Martine Guy ● 67d

Hi Martine, yes I have heard of this, think it was on Fbook, when they give you info. on old London etc.

Barbara Stevens ● 67d