Sister Meally – Ward Sister on Ward III – Queen Victoria Hospital – 2nd World War

Archibald McIndoe, a pioneering plastic surgeon of the Second World War operated on hundreds of burnt airmen and Sister Mary Meally helped run Ward III, the burns ward. She was well liked by the many war-injured patients under her care and some of the patients she tended formed a support

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Dr. Russell Davies – Anaesthetist for Archibald McIndoe – Founder Member of Guinea Pig Club

Russell Davies (Third from Left) with all the founding members of the Guinea Pig Club July 1941 During WW2 he was a vital member of Archibald McIndoe’s plastic surgery operating team, helping carry out pioneering surgery on burnt airmen and crew, assisting the senior anaesthetist Doctor John Hunter. Early life

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Matron Jackson – Canadian Wing, Queen Victoria Hospital – WW2

During World War Two Archibald McIndoe, a pioneering plastic surgeon, treated burnt airman at the Queen Victoria Hospital(Q.V.H.) East Grinstead. Working alongside him was an equally talented Canadian plastic surgeon, Group Captain Albert Ross Tilley. He persuaded the Government to fund the building of a Wing at the Q.V.H. for

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Edward Blacksell – Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer – Guinea Pig Club

Edward Blacksell, or Blackie, as he was normally known, played an important role assisting Archibald McIndoe’s work with the Guinea Pig Club at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.  He helped with rebuilding the bodies and lives of the badly burned aircrew during the Second World War. An RAF physical

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Sam Gallop’s 100th Birthday

Sam Gallop, Chairman of the Guinea Pig Club will be celebrating his 100th birthday on Thursday August 11th 2022. Following his aircraft accident in 1943, he was admitted to the Queen Victoria Hospital with serious injuries to his face, burns to his body, & fractures to both legs which resulted

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Black and white image of Guinea Pig Doug Vince

Doug Vince

It is with sadness to report that Guinea Pig Doug Vince passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 18th in Ipswich Hospital. Doug was a Flight Engineer in a Sterling Bomber which was shot down by an enemy fighter whilst returning from Germany in February 1945. He was first admitted to RAF Hospital

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Matron Hall – Ran Queen Victoria Hospital for McIndoe – WW2

Archibald McIndoe, the pioneering Plastic Surgeon of the Second World War ran a tight ship at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. As well as having a brilliant surgical team, he was fortunate to have Matron Hall, who very efficiently oversaw the hospital’s nursing staff. Early Life Caroline Hester

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Group Captain Ross Tilley

During World War Two,  Archibald McIndoe, a pioneering Plastic Surgeon,  treated burnt airmen at  the Queen Victoria Hospital (Q.V.H) East Grinstead.  Working alongside him was an equally talented Canadian plastic surgeon, Group Captain Albert Ross Tilley.  Ross Tilley also helped to rebuild lives and made such an impact that the

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Nursing at Queen Victoria Hosptial

This Spring, we have been joined by Masters Student Isabel Pace, who has been researching stories about the Guinea Pig Club as part of her remote placement at the museum. She has researched the role of nurses, based on the work of Liz Byrski who interviewed nurses who worked with

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Reflections on a Difficult Year

Reflections on a Difficult Year This short piece has been written by Bob Marchant, Museum Trustee and Guinea Pig Club Secertary about his experiences over the last 12 months: During this last year of lockdowns, especially the last few months after being placed on the Shielded Patients List, I have

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