http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1636755.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4264234.stm http://www.mishalov.com/Page.html - the most well-known of the Guinea Pigs who survived the war? And Page's book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shot-Down-Flames-Geoffrey-Page/dp/1902304101 Richard Hillary's book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Enemy-Richard-Hillary/dp/071267344X http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/guinea-pig.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_Pig_Club Unfortunately, the official site, http://www.gpigs.co.uk/ , appears to have disappeared. A simple video using the stirring music from Memphis Belle (you'll know it when you hear it, it's probably got a real name!). I really should not watch such things as I come within inches of being a blubbering mess. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYBjp9MNayc http://www.surgical-tutor.org.uk/default-home.htm?surgeons/mcindoe.htm~right I wonder if any plastic surgeons practicing today know of AM or could pioneer what he did?
He did some absolutely marvellous work not only with plastic surgery but made the patients feel special and encouraged the people in the village to honour these people and not be afraid of their disfigurements. The Australians had a great innovative plastic surgeon in North Africa who pioneered some wonderful new methods. I can't think of his name at the moment however he worked on my father and brought him back to normal from a mess. Will try and remember to ask mum tomorrow when I go there for lunch.
A I understand it McIndoe is an entire chapter or 3 in all plastic surgery books for new surgeons under training. Wonderful man and wonderful men his Guinea Pigs.
There was a civilian club set up just after the war that ran alongside the Guinea Pigs under McIndoe but I cannot for the life of me remember what it was called. Lots of children were in it whop had suffered injuries due to bombs and whatnot. Quite a few were adopted by the aircrew as Honorary Guinea Pigs.
There is also the book McIndoe's Army, which has the story of the Surgeon and some individual stories about the survivors, including Geoffery Page, who became famous after his cameo role the film, Battle of Britian.
I have seen the history channel story of this a few times and the work he and his colleagues carried out is just amazing.