The Guinea Pig Club
In 1941, Sir Archibald McIndoe created The Guinea Pig Club, formed of the recovering pilots and bomber crew from the Allied air forces whom he had treated for burns.
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The name reflected the pioneering nature of McIndoe’s work: many of the procedures he developed were entirely new to plastic surgery, created in response to the unprecedented injuries seen at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.
Who Were the Guinea Pigs?
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Most members were British, but the Club also included Canadian, American, Australian, New Zealand and Eastern European airmen.
Many had fought in the Battle of Britain, including RAF Flight Lieutenant Richard Hilary, whose memoir The Last Enemy documented his experiences as a burned airman.
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By the end of the war, the Club numbered 649 members—a testament to both the scale of the casualties and the extraordinary efforts of McIndoe and his team.
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Rehabilitation Through Camaraderie
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McIndoe recognised that recovery from severe burns required more than surgery. The Guinea Pig Club offered camaraderie, mutual support and humour—often black humour—that helped its members face the immense physical and psychological challenges ahead.​
Life on the Ward
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Members were allowed to wear their own service uniforms while recovering, and a barrel of beer was always available on the ward.
These arrangements initially met with resistance from the hospital welfare committee.
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At one committee meeting, McIndoe listened to complaints about the relaxed atmosphere, the language, and especially the drinking. Barely concealing his impatience, he delivered a withering response and made his position clear:
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Injured airmen should be treated as “normal young men who happen to be in temporary difficulty.”
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He asked the committee to spread this message throughout the town, ensuring no airman was made to feel uncomfortable while out in East Grinstead.
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​​Supporting Each Other Through Trauma
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The men needed emotional as well as physical support. Some found that their disfiguring injuries placed immense strain on relationships, and in some cases their wives or girlfriends were unable to cope.
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However, new relationships also formed. A number of Guinea Pigs later married nurses from the hospital — bonds built on understanding, shared experience and resilience.
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Facing the Outside World
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Re-entering society was daunting. The public’s reactions could be unpredictable and sometimes unkind, and members often relied on one another for strength and confidence.
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Fortunately, many local people showed tremendous kindness. Neville and Elaine Blond, for example, opened their home to recovering airmen, offering a place of warmth, acceptance and occasional mischief.
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Post-War Gatherings and Traditions
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After the war, members of the Guinea Pig Club continued to meet annually to celebrate their shared experiences and honour Sir Archibald McIndoe.
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For many years, the Guinea Pig pub in East Grinstead was the focal point for summer reunions, followed by a black-tie dinner and the traditional singing of the Guinea Pig anthem.
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Although all members have now sadly passed away, the legacy of the Club endures — a powerful symbol of courage, innovation, and the transformative impact of compassionate care.
Photo by kind permission of the East Grinstead Museum