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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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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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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Sad news for the Guinea Pig Club

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

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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Military Nurses Visit East Grinstead Museum

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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