Club’s legacy

SEVENTY-FIVE years ago this month, a handful of Allied aircrew who had sustained severe burns in aircraft crashes came together in hospital to create The Guinea Pig Club.

The club’s name reflects their role in the pioneering plastic surgery techniques of their consultant, Sir Archibald McIndoe.

I joined the club after my Stirling aircraft was shot down in flames following a raid over Germany.

I still remember hearing my mother ask, ‘Which one is my son?’ upon entering the hospital ward.

McIndoe insisted we not hide our injuries, both mental and physical, away from the world and the ethos of The Guinea Pig Club was to embrace life regardless of injury or disfigurement.

When our treatments finally ended, we Guinea Pigs left hospital to find jobs, marry, and raise families in a civilian world that stared at our injuries and questioned our abilities.

That we rose to the challenge and became examples for later generations of burns survivors is in large part due to the encouragement of The Guinea Pig Club and assistance from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, who have helped me and many other Guinea Pigs over the years.

Now, just 17 Guinea Pigs remain in the UK and we are working with the RAF Benevolent Fund to ensure the legacy of the club lives on.

I urge you to visit their website, www.rafbf.org/GuineaPigClub to learn more about the club and the lives of its members.