THE GUINEA PIG CLUB 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Jean Cowie (nee Kearney)

At the age of 15, having been evacuated to East Grinstead, our late mother, Jean Kearney, was a regular visitor of the Guinea Pig patients, accompanied by her father Edward. Under the watchful eye of Renee Woodward, Sir Archibald Mackindoe's assistant, she befriended many patients. 75 years later, needing, plastic surgery herself, she was amazed when she met the consultant surgeon who was to perform her operation - It was Mr Michael Woodward, nephew of Renee Woodward.

The Guinea Pig Club

We have been learning about the Guinea Pig Club and WW2 at school, yet we can never fully understand the time you had to go through. Thank you for serving the country, being brave and inspiring. You are not simply burns survivors, you are servicemen that helped change history, not only in the outcome of the war, but for others requiring surgical procedures. Your spirit is amazing. You are true heroes. We are all so proud of you.

Flt Lt. R M “Mac” Mathieson

My father was my personal hero. He was incredibly proud to have served his country and almost as proud to be a member of such an exclusive Club. Like many others of his generation, he was reluctant to speak of his wartime experiences in Coastal Command, but appreciated the camaraderie and support from the Club - particularly the annual Lost Weekend.

The guinea pig club

My late husband John Sumner worked with Billy Marsh and Jan Kennedy to use his agency to put on the entertainment for the annual dinner in September, from the Assembly Hall TW.This was mostly in the ‘80s until the weekends ended. I remember meeting Lady MacIndoe as well as many of the Guinea Pigs. I forget who our link person was, who invited John to organise the evening. We had top stars giving their time to put on the acts. Vera Lynn of course stands out for their anniversary year.

Flt Lt G I Lewis - 226 Squadron (Blenheims)

August 12th, 2021 is the 80th anniversary of my father and his crew's fatal crash in Holland, participating in the RAF's first major daylight raid on the Cologne /Knapsack power stations. 12 of the 54 Blenheims sent never returned. May they all rest in peace.

Dr Sandy Saunders

Dr Saunders was our family doctor when I was a child in the 50’s it wouldn’t have been until shortly before his death that I learned how he sustained his injuries, I was happy along with my fellow Freemasons to make a contribution toward the memorial that Sandy worked tirelessly to have erected in the war memorial gardens in Warwickshire, I will always remember Dr Sandy Saunders RIP

The Guinea Pig Club members and their families

I am pleased to share this link to view a collection of short films of the GPC annual reunions held in East Grinstead from 1960 to 1987. https://screenarchive.brighton.ac.uk/collection/1658/. Thanks to Bob Marchant, East Grinstead Museum Trustee and Guinea Pig Club Secretary, for ensuring the films came to us to be preserved for future generations to see. Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton.

The young airmen and those who gave them the desire for life

As a teenager who had to wait until after the war to be treated for burns I would like to say a big thank you to those young men who made our time at East Grinstead interesting.Their determination to put all behind them and go out and live helped us to realise we could do that too.Sir Archibald McIndoe said go out and face the world and you did what he said. Thank you all.

Russell Howard Frank

My father served in the RAF the war and after a crash was sent to Marchwood Park to convalesce. He was fit enough to help out with members of the Guinea Pig Club who were also recovering there and in later years he often talked about their bravery and the pioneering work of Dr McIndoe. This experience influenced his desire to work in the NHS, followed by a long career in public service. He kept in touch with the men he met and was honoured to be considered an honorary member of the Club.

jack perry

I was a friend of Mary, Jack's wife. We belonged to the same choir and spent many happy hours singing. I remember that Jack was always so cheerful in spite of what he had been through. He always seemed to be organising social events and holidays for the Guinea Pigs and their families and this must have been a great support for them all. I pay tribute to all the guinea pigs who bravely fought for our country and suffered so much but were determined to make the best of the life they had.

Sgt Frank Porter Kirkby

Shot down over the Norwegian fjords in 1941. Air gunner in a Hudson, sadly died in a dinghy with his comrades.. God bless the RAF.

David Hartwell Jones

My father was bombed out of his dairy in the London Blitz and joined the RAF working on Lancaster Bombers as a Fitter Armourer. He received face and hand burns from a land mine and was sent to East Grindstead and later used to tell us children all about Sir Archibald McIndoe’s work with great admiration. He was very proud that you “couldn’t see the joins”. Thank you to all who served and suffered for our freedom.

Peter Broadbery

My late father was the Chief Medical Photographer at the QVH and had the honour and privilege of meeting some of the Guinea Pigs when they returned for their surgery. As a thank you his was made an honoury Guinea Pig as used to attend their Annual Dinners

Flt Sgt JMV Thomson (Guinea Pig)

In remembrance of my Father who was on of the elite Guinea Pig Club

To our brave Guinea Pigs

Since working at the Fund it has been an absolute honour to have met a number of Guinea Pigs over the years. I have very fond memories of the 75th anniversary and our trip to the Yorkshire Air Museum. They continue to inspire future generations with their courage, fortitude and humour.

The Guinea Pig Club

Having had the privilege of working with Sir Archibald McIndoe as an Operating Theatre Technician prior to him dying, & meeting many of the members of this unique club over the years, it has been an honour to serve as their Secretary for the past 15yrs,& in helping to keep the name of this club in the public eye for future generations.

RAF past and present.

We can never know the efforts and sacrifices you made on our behalf, nor can we ever thank you enough. From an RAF 'brat' that loved growing up with both father and mother serving, and a grandfather KIA flying Halifax bombers that I never got to meet — I thank you for your service. "Per ardua ad astra."

AVM HAC Bird-Wilson CBE,DSO,DFC,AFC

Thanks to the great Surgeon for what he did for the RAF members. My father was #2 GP when Geoffrey Page was #1. The painting is of YBW in which "Birdy" was shot down by Adolf Galland on Sept 24 1940. The print is signed by 86 B of B pilots on the 50th Anniversary of BofB

The pioneers of the Guinea Pig Club

With grateful thanks to all who were involved in the concept of the Guinea Pig Club. Little did you know the impact it would have on everyones lives from the young burnt pilots of World War Two to those so badly burnt in the Falklands, from other military conflicts to the victims of terrorism on 7/7 and other events and to all those who have required plastic surgery for their wounds and burns over the years. A wonderful insight.

All the brave men and women that risked their lives to do the right thing when it would have been so much easier not to.

making a small donation to this organisation is the least we can do to recognise the sacrifice they made

the brave men and woman

thank you for defending and making the whole world a safer place.all the best wishes.

Jack Perry

Our dad was so proud to be a Guinea Pig. He told my brothers, John, Andy and I, that Sir Archibald McIndoe had stressed how important it was for the Guinea Pigs to support each other. He took this very seriously and enjoyed organising events to bring them together. He always said he was only singed compared to other Pigs. It was wonderful to see them together - the fun and the quiet way they would help each other- and reach out to others with burns. What a privilege to be a Guinea Pig child!

Dr Thomas Peter Daly

In memory of my late uncle who benefited from the surgical skills at Stoke Mandeville in WW2. My uncle served with distinction in the RAF during WW2. Following the crash of their aircraft, he was severely burned pulling his pilot out of the burning cockpit. They re-constructed his face with plastic surgery.

Dr. Sandy Saunders

I had the honour of meeting Sandy shortly before his death. He was very modest about his contribution during the war but explained in detail, using a tiger moth model, the crash that caused his injuries. Sadly he had never felt he deserved to be called a glider pilot because the accident happened during training. I am glad I got the opportunity to say to him that I believed him to be a part of the GPR and that there were many more glider pilot family members that would say the same. RIP Sandy.

To all the Staff at East Grinstead Hospital

In 1946 as a young child I suffered burns from a fire and I was sent to East Grinstead hospital where I was a patient of Sir Archibald McIndoe, where I met many brave young airmen who helped me get through as my parents were unable to travel to the hospital. Thank you all.

The Guinea Pig Club and my father, George.

My father took me with him to a Guinea Pig Club meet at Biggin Hill. I was 12 and was deputed to hand round the teas and chat to people. I’ve never forgotten the banter and the unselfconscious friendliness these men showed towards a rather awkward 12 year old.

George Henry Raby

My father was in the RAF as a warrant officer flying in a wellington bomber which crashed in Melton Mowbrey and he was the only survivor. He spent many hours in hospital going through treatment that is what todays plastic surgery for burns is based on. No-one can really appreciate what these young men went through all those years ago

All Guinea Pig Club Members

I am a son of an RAF / RCAF member who was a Flight Lieutenant based in Farnborough. Thankfully my Dad came home prior to us immigrating to Canada. When I read the story of these airmen who suffered these horrific burns and yet agreed to proceed with plastic surgery in the 40's one has to marvel at the trust they placed in the nurses and doctors. They went on in life regardless of outwards appearance to support each other and others in the future. I believe our advances in burns are due to them.

The Guinea Pig Club

The Guinea Pig Club are a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity, and their story of perseverance and tenacity never fails to inspire me. Eighty years have passed since the Club’s formation and just six members remain, but their legacy lives on. I feel incredibly proud to be Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, a charity that supported the Guinea Pigs in their time of need and continues to support RAF personnel and veterans facing similar challenges today.

All The Guinea Pigs

It has been a huge privilege for the RAFBF to support the Guinea Pigs down the years, collectively and many individually. Sir Archibald's magical touch was inspirational, but so is the way that the Guinea Pigs lived their lives. I have been privileged in recent years to meet many Guinea Pigs and their commitment, comradeship and zest for life has been truly inspirational! We give thanks for their service, their example, and their humour, all of which serves to inspire future generations!

The Guinea Pig Club

As a veteran who was medically discharged from the Royal Air Force, I understand some of the challenges the Guinea Pig Club members faced in the wake of their injuries. I feel incredibly grateful to stand on the shoulders of these men. The Guinea Pig Club blazed a trail for the treatment of injuries such as my own, leading to better recovery and better outcomes for us all.