View Full Version : Sir Archibald McIndoe and his 'Guinea Pigs' honoured
CoffmanStarter
5th Apr 2013, 08:51
A great man who did great work ...
The design for a unique memorial honouring the pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe, the hundreds of second world war air crew whom he rescued from despair, and the town of East Grinstead that was a crucial part of their rehabilitation, will be unveiled in the town today (5th April 2013).
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/4/4/1365101866196/The-Sir-Archibald-McIndoe-008.jpg
The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/05/wartime-surgeon-archibald-mcindoe-honoured)
Coff.
airborne_artist
5th Apr 2013, 08:56
As is often the case, the high tempo of war drives innovation and McIndoe was no exception. He took plastic surgery techniques forwards at a great rate and also pretty much pioneered the development of post-surgery rehab much needed by his patients.
He was a New Zealander by birth.
Danny42C
6th Apr 2013, 23:26
And about time, too ! This is all too reminiscent of the Bomber Command Memorial story.
I have an interest: my daughter nursed at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, for twenty years in the Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre, and well remembers the Guinea Pigs.
D.
Dan Winterland
7th Apr 2013, 02:34
The book by Richard Hilary, "The Last Enemy" is one of the best WW2 fighter pilot's account written. It also details Richard's treatment by McIndoe for his burns after being shot down.
A thoroughly reccomended read.
PeregrineW
7th Apr 2013, 08:10
Long overdue, and well deserved recognition of a great man, and the indomitable spirit of his "Guinea Pigs". The sculptor is Martin Jennings, whose father, Michael, was treated by McIndoe for his injuries (although I don't believe his name appears on the official list of "Guinea Pigs"). For further reading, I can also recommend "The Reconstruction Of Warriors" by E.R.Mayhew.
If anyone is interested, we will be putting on a "Ward III" display at the Bluebell Railway's "Southern At War" event on the 11th and 12th May. Hopefully, we'll be displaying at East Grinstead station, but if space is tight there, we'll be at one of the other stations on the line. I expect we'll be easy enough to track down if you'd like to say hello.