King & Country · First World War · FW046
FW046 depicts a British infantryman carrying a wounded soldier across his shoulders while retaining his rifle. Both wear khaki and steel helmets. The carrier bends into the weight, with the casualty’s limbs and equipment hanging around him. Despite occasional muddled catalog labels, this is a rescue pair, not a flagbearer.
The historical setting
Getting a casualty out of danger was only the first stage of evacuation. Wounded men might move through aid posts, dressing stations and casualty clearing stations before reaching a base hospital. A comrade could begin that journey before trained medical personnel arrived. The figure records that immediate act of assistance rather than a completed medical evacuation.
Review
The sculpt’s strength is the convincing imbalance between the two bodies. The rifle also shows that the rescuer remains a fighting soldier. It is a more specific and affecting subject than a generic wounded man on a base; the release gives the helper equal importance.
Reference: FW046 release reference. Review observations are based on the product reference photographs.
Related figures: FW168 · Bantam and Prisoner · FW173 · Nursing Sister.
Find this set
Currently available on eBay
Matching FW046 listings, lowest displayed price first. Includes shipping when quoted.
Checking available listings…