Neville & Elaine Blond
Neville Blond was born in 1901. For much of his early life, he assumed that once his education was complete he would join the family textile business.
Everything changed with the arrival of the First World War.
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Early Life and Military Service
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Neville served for four years with the Royal Horse Guards, building a distinguished career. He rose to the rank of Major and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Légion d’Honneur, and a post as Liaison Officer with the Ministry of War in Paris.
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He served again during the Second World War, this time in the RAF, and later within the Ministry of Production.
His deep knowledge of economics and trade led to his appointment to the Central Economic Planning Staff, where he became United Kingdom Trade Advisor in the United States, tasked with seeking new markets for British goods.
Neville received the OBE in 1945 and the CMG in 1950.
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Elaine Blond — A Life of Philanthropy and Resolve
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Neville’s interest in surgery developed after his marriage to Elaine Blond in 1944.
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Elaine, born in 1902, was the youngest daughter of Michael Marks, the Russian-Polish immigrant who founded the Marks & Spencer empire.
One of her most significant achievements was her tireless work for the Refugee Children’s Movement during the 1930s and 40s, helping rescue Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe.
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Strong-minded and incapable of idleness, Elaine became an important patron of the sciences and the arts.
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Friendship with Sir Archibald McIndoe
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While living near East Grinstead, Neville and Elaine became close friends of Sir Archibald McIndoe.
They took great interest in the welfare of the airmen treated at the Queen Victoria Hospital and opened their home to many of the Guinea Pigs, who often stayed with them during rehabilitation.
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Their support during this period became an important part of the recovery journey for many burned airmen.
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Transforming Research at the Queen Victoria Hospital
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In 1959, Neville and Elaine donated a block of research laboratories to be built within the Queen Victoria Hospital grounds.
A board of trustees was formed to administer the new project, with Neville as chairman.
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Although Sir Archibald died before construction began, the Blonds ensured the work continued, and within two years the laboratory space was doubled through an additional donation from the couple.
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Establishing a Modern Burns Centre
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By 1964, there was a critical need for a modern Burns Centre at the Queen Victoria Hospital — a place where research discoveries could directly benefit severely burned patients.
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What seemed at first financially impossible was made achievable when Neville, Elaine and their family donated the entire building to the hospital.
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This creation of a state-of-the-art facility became the foundation for one of the world’s foremost transplantation research units, and a unique centre for treating severe burns.
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Continuing the Legacy
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After Neville’s death, Elaine continued to drive their shared commitment to advancing research in East Grinstead.
She served as Chairman of the Foundation from 1970 to 1985.
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The Blond family connection continued through Neville’s son, Peter Blond, who served as a patron of the Foundation until his death in 2021.