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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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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Flight Officer Arthur (Red) Woolf

Sadly one of the last surviving members of the Guinea Pig Club recently passed away. Flight Officer Arthur (Red) Woolf, passed way on  7th April 2021 after a short illness. He was 99 years old. Flg/Off Woolf suffered severe injuries when his Lancaster Bomber was shot down over Northern France

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Tributes to the Guinea Pig Club

Tributes to the Guinea Pig Club As part of the Guinea Pig Club’s 80th Anniversary in 2021, Bob Marchant, the Secretary of the Club, looks at the many ways the Club is commemorated. As we are now entering the year 2021 , it will see the 80th Anniversary of the

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Mollie Lentaigne celebrates her 100th Birthday

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

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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