Mollie Lentaigne celebrates her 100th Birthday

May 5, 2020

Mollie Lock (nee Lentaigne) was a VAD Red Cross Nurse, who became a Medical Artist working with Sir Archibald McIndoe doing her time at the Queen Victoria Hospital during the war years. Mollie met McIndoe at a party where she was attempting to draw him. He was impressed by her

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McIndoe after the Second World War

April 10, 2020

Archibald McIndoe after the Second World War With the end of the Second World War in 1945,  Archibald McIndoe showed no interest in slowing down his heavy workload at the Queen Victoria Hospital. He was knighted in the honours list in June 1947 and that year’s annual dinner of the

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Sad news for the Guinea Pig Club

December 19, 2019

We are saddened to report the recent passing of both Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon, and Eric Pearce, who were both members of the Guinea Pig Club. Maurice served in the RAF during the Battle of Britain, receiving burns to his arms and legs after being forced to bail from his

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Eric celebrates his 100th Birthday

July 1, 2019

Born on 1st July 1919, Eric Pearce is one of only a few non-RAF personnel who became a member of the famous Guinea Pig Club. As a Lieutanant in the Fleet Air Arm, Eric was testing a newly delivered Air Sea Rescue Sea Otter plane at Lee on Solent, Hampshire. 

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Sister Jill Mullins – Key Member of McIndoe’s surgical team

May 30, 2019

Sir Archibald McIndoe, the pioneering Plastic Surgeon had a brilliant team assisting him with his ground-breaking surgical methods. “The Immortal Trio” or the “Firm of Three” as they were called, consisted of Archibald McIndoe, Plastic surgeon, John Hunter, Anaesthetist and Jill Mullins, Theatre Sister. Jill was a slim attractive woman

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A huge achievement for Bob Marchant

September 22, 2017

East Grinstead Museum are thrilled for Bob who has received The Mid Sussex District Council Community Service Award for outstanding service to the community as Secretary of The Guinea Pig Club & Trustee to the Museum. Presented by The High Sheriff of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard & Cllr Bruce Forbes

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Military Nurses Visit East Grinstead Museum

August 2, 2017

On Wednesday 19th of July, East Grinstead Museum welcomed 8 Military Nurses from both the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and Birmingham for a tour of the Rebuilding Bodies and Souls exhibition. The Military Nurses held a fund raising event at the Queen Victoria Hospital and kindly donated half the funds

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A Good Read for the Summer…..

July 19, 2017

East Grinstead Museum’s exhibition ‘Rebuilding Bodies & Souls’ tells the story of Sir Archibald McIndoe, world-famous plastic surgeon, and his pioneering work on the young airmen who were shot down & badly burned during WW2.  They knew that they were his ‘guinea pigs’, and so the infamous ‘Guinea Pig Club’

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Guinea Pig Club members, an actress, international visitors and a live BBC Radio Broadcast!

June 30, 2017

June has been an exciting month… On Saturday the 17th of June East Grinstead Museum welcomed VIP guests,Guinea Pig Club members Jack Perry and John Miles; accompanied by friends and family including actress Fiona Dolman.  Bob Marchant, Secretary of the Guinea Pig Club and Museum Trustee, led a guided tour of

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“….in what was formerly a dusty lumber-room of the Church Tower…”

June 14, 2017

A volunteer bought these lovely ‘East Grinstead and its Parish Church’ booklets to my attention. The oldest of these seen on the left, is dated 1934 and sold for Threepence;  beautifully illustrated and printed by Exors of H.W. Cullen of East Grinstead, and low and behold include articles about East Grinstead Museum. The Museum

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