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The Guinea Pig Club (Paperback)

Archibald McIndoe and the RAF in World War II

Aviation > WWII Military > Greenhill Books > Greenhill: WWII P&S History WWII

By E R Mayhew, Foreword by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, Foreword by HRH Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Greenhill Books
Pages: 232
Illustrations: 50
ISBN: 9781784383213
Published: 5th September 2018
Last Released: 10th January 2019

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As seen in the Daily Mail

As reviewed in the Daily Mail: 'In this updated edition of her short and tender account of the GPC, Emily Mayhew reminds us that World War II changed Britain's view of heroism.' Read the full review here.

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'This book speaks to two of the most diametrically opposed yet mutually supportive aspects of war: the ability to inflict horrific injury and the ability to heal… Mayhew is to be commended on an outstanding addition to expanding our knowledge of an area rarely discussed by historians. Her book should be mandatory reading for all defence members (both civilian and military) and on everyone's history shelf. This book is highly recommended.' Airforce Magazine

The history of the Guinea Pig Club, the band of airmen who were seriously burned in aeroplane fires, is a truly inspiring, spine-tingling tale.

Plastic surgery was in its infancy before the Second World War. The most rudimentary techniques were only known to a few surgeons worldwide. The Allies were tremendously fortunate in having the maverick surgeon Archibald McIndoe nicknamed the Boss or the Maestro operating at a small hospital in East Grinstead in the south of England. McIndoe constructed a medical infrastructure from scratch.

After arguing with his superiors, he set up a revolutionary new treatment regime. Uniquely concerned with the social environment, or holistic care, McIndoe also enlisted the help of the local civilian population. He rightly secured his group of patients dubbed the Guinea Pig Club an honoured place in society as heroes of Britain's war. For the first time official records have been used to explain fully how and why this remarkable relationship developed between the Guinea Pig Club, the RAF and the Home Front.

First-person recollections bring to life the heroism of the airmen with incredible clarity.

This is a revised and expanded edition with new material, including a foreword by HRH Prince Harry, published to tie in with a major new film expected to be released in late 2018.

As featured by

Sussex Local, March 2019

All I can say about this book in conclusion is that it is one that everyone should read, whatever your views on war, military and social history. That there are two forewords, one from Prince Harry and the other by the Duke of Edinburgh should tell you everything you need to know about its contents. There are several photographs that tell their own story. Let me be honest, few books bring my emotions to the surface. This one did. I cried: as much for the uplifting narrative as the real horror of war. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

British Military History, Rob Palmer

Competition as featured by

Sussex Local, February 2019

Based on extensive research and moving first person recollections, this absorbing book reveals the heroism and triumphs of the courageous Guinea Pig Club members.

RAF News 14/10/18

Click here to listen to author interview

NOTE: set cursor to 9:50

BBC Radio London, Jo Good show 10/12/18

In this updated edition of her short and tender account of the GPC, Emily Mayhew reminds us that World War II changed Britain’s view of heroism.

Daily Mail 2/11/18
Perfect Partner

Plastic Surgery in Wars, Disasters and Civilian Life The Memoirs of Professor Anthony Roberts OBE (Hardback)

The specialty of plastic surgery was developed and named by Sir Harold Gillies following his work between the two world wars reconstructing severely damaged servicemen from the First World. War. Sir Harold went on to inspire and train other surgeons from around the world. Among them was his cousin Sir Archibald McIndoe, who in the Second World War set up the unit at East Grinstead Hospital which looked after severely burned airmen and some other servicemen. The airmen themselves set up the famous Guinea Pig Club which gave enormous social and often financial support to the severely injured. After…

By Prof Anthony Roberts

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