February 16, 1945 - The Guinea Pig Club
From the Operations Record Book:
Once again the Squadron was stood down from operations and the day was again devoted to flying and ground training. Two new crews P/O Findlay and F/S Wilson carried out cross country exercises and practice bombing.
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In the late 1930’s, the British government began making plans for dealing with the casualties from the increasingly likely war. The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead was selected to become one of four specialist Emergency Medical Service units. The existing hospital was expanded, adding three new wards: Ward I for dental and jaw injuries, Ward II for women and children and Ward III, which would specialize in the treatment of severely burned air force personnel.
In 1938 a New Zealand surgeon named Archibald McIndoe was appointed plastic surgery consultant to the RAF. His pioneering ability to treat burns and reconstruct faces was so renowned, the RAF awarded him his own facility, Ward III of Queen Victoria Hospital, in September 1939.
Not only was McIndoe dedicated to his patients’ medical wellbeing, he also knew the importance of their psychological and social wellbeing. McIndoe championed the population of East Grinstead to welcome the disfigured ‘Guinea Pigs’ into their lives. The men were encouraged to go into town and they soon became a regular sight in the local shops, pubs and dances. The residents of the town made such an effort to make the patients feel at home, East Grinstead became known as ‘The Town That Didn’t Stare.’
The brightly-coloured medical ward housed a radio, piano and a keg of ever-flowing beer. On Sunday, July 9, 1941, after a night of heavy drinking, the patients of Ward III decided to create a drinking club called ‘The Guinea Pigs’ since they were in essence the testing ground for McIndoe’s experimental plastic surgeries. One of the member’s wives drew up a club logo and the patients decided membership would be limited to three groups: ‘The Guinea Pigs’ - any Allied aircrew member who had undergone two or more surgeries at the Queen Victoria hospital for burns or other crash injuries; The ‘Scientists’ - the doctors, surgeons and other medical staff; and ‘The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Guinea Pigs’ i.e. friends and other supporters who helped make the life of a ‘Guinea Pig a happy one.’
As RCAFs burn casualties mounted, Group Captain Ross Tilley from Bowmanville, Ontario, was assigned to a permanent posting at the Queen Victoria Hospital. Tilley was permitted to build his own Canadian team of specialists, and in July 1942, the first all-Canadian plastic surgery operation was performed. Two years later, in July 1944, a dedicated Canadian Wing of the hospital opened, headed by Dr. Tilley.
Little did they know, one of the Harris Crew would soon become one of Dr. Tilley's patients.
In the late 1930’s, the British government began making plans for dealing with the casualties from the increasingly likely war. The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead was selected to become one of four specialist Emergency Medical Service units. The existing hospital was expanded, adding three new wards: Ward I for dental and jaw injuries, Ward II for women and children and Ward III, which would specialize in the treatment of severely burned air force personnel.
In 1938 a New Zealand surgeon named Archibald McIndoe was appointed plastic surgery consultant to the RAF. His pioneering ability to treat burns and reconstruct faces was so renowned, the RAF awarded him his own facility, Ward III of Queen Victoria Hospital, in September 1939.
Not only was McIndoe dedicated to his patients’ medical wellbeing, he also knew the importance of their psychological and social wellbeing. McIndoe championed the population of East Grinstead to welcome the disfigured ‘Guinea Pigs’ into their lives. The men were encouraged to go into town and they soon became a regular sight in the local shops, pubs and dances. The residents of the town made such an effort to make the patients feel at home, East Grinstead became known as ‘The Town That Didn’t Stare.’
The brightly-coloured medical ward housed a radio, piano and a keg of ever-flowing beer. On Sunday, July 9, 1941, after a night of heavy drinking, the patients of Ward III decided to create a drinking club called ‘The Guinea Pigs’ since they were in essence the testing ground for McIndoe’s experimental plastic surgeries. One of the member’s wives drew up a club logo and the patients decided membership would be limited to three groups: ‘The Guinea Pigs’ - any Allied aircrew member who had undergone two or more surgeries at the Queen Victoria hospital for burns or other crash injuries; The ‘Scientists’ - the doctors, surgeons and other medical staff; and ‘The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Guinea Pigs’ i.e. friends and other supporters who helped make the life of a ‘Guinea Pig a happy one.’
As RCAFs burn casualties mounted, Group Captain Ross Tilley from Bowmanville, Ontario, was assigned to a permanent posting at the Queen Victoria Hospital. Tilley was permitted to build his own Canadian team of specialists, and in July 1942, the first all-Canadian plastic surgery operation was performed. Two years later, in July 1944, a dedicated Canadian Wing of the hospital opened, headed by Dr. Tilley.
Little did they know, one of the Harris Crew would soon become one of Dr. Tilley's patients.
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