The Town That Didn’t StareFind out what children from East Grinstead discovered about the surprising role their town played during World War II…

Special thanks to:

• All the volunteers who shared their precious memories• East Grinstead Museum

• East Grinstead Tourist Office

• The Blond McIndoe Research Foundation

• East Grinstead Business Association

HALSFORD PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

© Sound Architect 2014

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Treating BurnsAre you worried that you’re not prepared for a serious burn? Are you worried that a child will get burnt in your care? It takes one second to get burnt and you need to be prepared as you could save someone’s life…

1. First, run the burn under some cold water for 20 minutes; make sure you only put it under cold water, not hot!

2. Whilst the burn is under cold water, dial 999 (in some cases you may not need to dial 999 but in an emergency you do.)

3. Remove any jewellery (unless stuck to the skin). Don’t pop any blisters that form.

4. Wrap in clean cling film very carefully.

Remember this as it could really help you and the people around you!By Nikita

The things that made McIndoe a pioneer:

• The salt water bath.

• He made the patients feel at home by having beer, pretty nurses and a piano on the ward.

• The rehabilitation of the patient by letting them come into his home to have dinner with him.

This pioneering surgeon left us many legacies and one of those is: “Don’t treat people differently even though they look different.”By Thomas

By Tricia & Jess

Sound Architect

The Town That Didn’t Stare

During World War II, hundreds of severely burned aircrew were treated at the Queen Victoria hospital in East Grinstead after a pioneering surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe, established a special burns unit there. McIndoe was a brilliant surgeon who not only developed new techniques for treating badly burned faces and hands, but also recognised the importance of reintegrating his patients back into normal life.

In 1941 he formed a drinking club for the injured airmen affectionately named “The Guinea Pig Club”, because of the experimental surgery the men had undergone. The Club became a support mechanism for the 649 Guinea Pigs and those that remain continue to meet to this day. He also encouraged the locals to welcome the casualties and despite many of them being horribly disfigured, the townspeople would go out of their way to make them feel normal and East Grinstead became known as the town that didn’t stare.

In 1947, McIndoe received a knighthood for his remarkable work on restoring the minds and bodies of the burnt young pilots of World War II.

In 2014, with the help of an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and support from local charity (Sound Architect) students from Baldwins Hill and Halsford Park Primary Schools took part in an exciting oral history project that enabled them to work with experts and adult volunteers

to gather real life stories about Sir Archibald McIndoe, and the important role that the townspeople played in deciding not to stare. As part of their learning journey, the students helped to produce this booklet, visited East Grinstead Museum and the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, held a question and answer session with a former burns patient and even welcomed Princess Anne to the town when she unveiled a statue in Sir Archibald McIndoe’s honour on 9th June 2014.

One volunteer summed up the ethos of the project when she said,I think all the interaction between generations is an excellent idea as it keeps memories alive, and you can also have a window on the outlook of something that happened historically, which highlights what a very different world we all live in now.”

Magical Mr McIndoeBy Tyran

In September 1939 a man called Archibald McIndoe came from Liverpool and worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital. Ever since World War 2 started, many men have come in from air battles with horrible burns. There are not many plastic surgeons in Britain so many have been coming to East Grinstead. For local townspeople, seeing men with these injuries can sometimes be a shocking sight. One remarked: “They do look a little bit strange with the tubes they are wearing from their nose to their shoulders but I think we will get used to it.”

McIndoe’s treatment includes taking skin grafts from unharmed parts of their bodies to help heal burnt parts. In some cases, he has taken skin from their shoulder and taken it to the burnt area. For others who have burnt hands, he layers skin grafts so their fingers are like studs. This is why they look a little different.

We sent out a warning of this to the people of East Grinstead so no one would wonder why this was happening and we asked them not to stare and it is working. We have been sending out secret reporters and we haven’t seen anyone staring at all!

There are more patients coming in every day, so please continue to be understanding of these men’s injuries. Your attitude towards these brave men, who have been injured fighting for us, can help their recovery. In the future, East Grinstead might become famous because of this man.

Historical HospitalBy Imogen and Eve

Yesterday morning, Year 6 visited the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. The reason for this innovative idea for a school trip is so that year 6 pupils at Halsford Park and Baldwins Hill Primary Schools can learn more about the fascinating surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe.

One of the main features of the trip was observing the Roll of Honour. One of the pupils who experienced this, commented: “It was really interesting looking at all the names on the Roll of Honour; I never knew he helped so many!” Many of the other pupils agreed. Although Sir Archibald McIndoe was an amazing Surgeon, he did get one thing wrong. He thought the pilots would only live for another 5-10 years and actually, 58 of the original 649 are still alive today.

Another reason for the visit was to learn about different layers of skin cells. One of the pupils commented: “I never knew how many layers

of skin cells there were in one piece of skin!” A professor supervised the stimulating learning. He used a microscope to see the cells up close. “They looked like little beans” informed another pupil.

After that experience, the children then had a look around a laboratory. They saw some scientists creating skin by incubating other skin cells. They told the entranced children all about the thought-provoking information.

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By the end of the war, the Guinea

Pig Club had 649 members from

across the Allied Forces.

In Martin Jennings’ statue of McIndoe, a pilot looks towards

the doctor for reassurance.

Above: McIndoe regularly joined his “Guinea Pigs” for a pint.

Above: The Guinea Pigs continued to wear their uniform as McIndoe insisted they should be allowed to.Lu

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The living and dead scattered over the fieldghosts of the memories many left behindsome of the many living but injuredare pilots from their fallen planes.

The sun rises and places a golden crown on those who fought, making them glow with gold.The first bird twitters but flees in fear of the many dead soldiers and living alike.

For the faces of those lying thereare burnt, ripped and scarredbut one man wants to save them alland give them all he can.

That is long ago,the war has ended nowand the man who wanted to save themall is standing by my side.

Because of that man my spirit floats above the lovely clouds.I was made happy by the man called McIndoeMcIndoe the great, McIndoe the saviour.

By Sally

Plane Crash By Josh

Boom! Boom! My heart has sunk down to my stomach’s core.Death! Death! That is all that is running, travelling through my mind.Crackle! Crackle! The sounds of the fire behind me as my eyes are red as blood.Argh! Argh! The sound of terrified people running to safety.Tremble! Tremble! The movement of the plane made me feel like my heart was in my mouth.My life flashed before my eyes.SMASH…

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Dear Diary

Today I had my first operation. It was a little nerve-racking but deep down I knew that these operations would change my life in a big way. As soon as I stepped into the operating theatre, I knew that I was in good hands. I could see they were experienced in this work, but even so, I still felt a little uneasy.

I’m not going to go into the details of my operation, as this is not why I was given this diary, but I will inform you how I felt afterwards.I stepped out of the operating theatre feeling like a new man, even though I knew that the operation had only repaired one of my cheek bones; it was like my whole face had been improved. I could now smile at people without my smile looking like a leer or looking lopsided. I’m now looking forward to when I can have this experience all over again!Dear Diary 7th May 1940

I have had the worst week of my

life. My plane blew up and now I

have burns on my face and I have

lost all my hair. Luckily I had my

leather gloves on so my hands did

not get burnt.

I have already had a salt water

bath and Sir Archibald McIndoe,

the main surgeon has looked me

over and confirmed that I have 2nd

and 3rd degree burns over my face.

I have made some new friends;

Bill Foxley, Alan Morgan, Dennis

‘Eyes Higher’ Neale, Paul Hart and

Sandy Saunders. They are all great

guys, they don’t stare at my burns,

they all know what happended to

me because they have all been

burnt too. Above: McIndoe introduced saline baths having realised that airmen who ditched in the sea recovered more quickly.

Top: A false nose attached to a pair

of glasses was a temporary solution

for those awaiting surgery.

Above: To keep up morale, McIndoe

installed a piano on the ward which

he frequently played himself.

By Eve

By Maisie

By Eve

By Annabel

By Alex

By Aaron

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Every student made a

simulated ‘burn’ mask. Dear DiaryToday was extremely exhausting! Being a nurse isn’t as easy as I expected it to be; looking after hundreds of pilots (who have been severely burnt) all at the same time and making sure they’re comfortable and relaxed. After three months of nursing, I am completely organised, I know how to look after each patient. However, as the war has been progressing, more pilots have been coming in to see Sir Archibald McIndoe and his team. It’s amazing how I’m working with him; I always see him operating on the patients; it’s fascinating watching him, disturbing too, but really interesting.Mr McIndoe says: “You can come in, if you can stand it!” I chose to watch as I have always been interested in the work of plastic

surgery. The worst part of the job is seeing the men so different to what they used to look like. All of this is just part of understanding how brave these young men are; it’s so difficult to make the decision to risk your life for the rest of your country. Despite the sad and gruesome stories, they are full of inspiration and courage.

Students were asked to think about how they would feel if they were stared at.

I feel very sad for the Guinea Pigs because as I made the mask, I could see the disfigurement.

The Guinea Pig AnthemSung to the tune Aurelia by Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1864)

We are McIndoe’s army,We are his Guinea Pigs.With dermatomes and pedicles,Glass eyes, false teeth and wigs.And when we get our dischargeWe’ll shout with all our might:“Per ardua ad astra”We’d rather drink than fight.

John Hunter runs the gas works,Ross Tilley wields the knife.And if they are not careful

They’ll have your flaming life.So, Guinea Pigs, stand steadyFor all your surgeon’s calls:And if their hands aren’t steadyThey’ll whip off both your ears.We’ve had some mad Australians,Some French, some Czechs, some Poles.

We’ve even had some Yankees,God bless their precious souls.While as for the Canadians -Ah! That’s a different thing.They couldn’t stand our accentAnd built a separate Wing.

We are McIndoe’s army, (as first verse)

By Jacob

By Izzy

By Georgia

By Alex

By Tom

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I feel really embarrassed. I never thought that people could stare so much. I don’t ever want to wear my mask again.

Greenwich Meridian runs through 1769 East Court Mansion (home of the town council)

Site of the Guinea Pig Pub

Site Cinema & Whitehall Club bombing

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East Grinstead Library

East Grinstead Railway Station

Greenwich Meridian runs through 1769 East Court Mansion

(home of the town council).

East Grinstead Map

Follow this map to visit some of the sites in East Grinstead associated with Sir Archibald McIndoe and The Town That Didn’t Stare. You can learn much more about the town and the important part it played in World War II by visiting East Grinstead Museum.

Above: The Guinea Pig Pub was for many years a focal point for reunions, but it closed in 2005 and was later demolished.

Below: The site of the Whitehall Cinema in London Road is marked with a plaque in honour of those who lost their lives there when it received a direct hit in 1943.

A statue of Sir Archibald McIndoe

unveiled in June 2014 by HRH Princess

Anne is sited adjacent to Sackville College.

East Grinstead Museum

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SACKVILLE COLLEGE

Sandra Underwood’s father, Derek Crane, became one of McIndoe’s Guinea Pigs after his torpedo boat was rammed and sunk in 1944. After returning to his home town in the North East, reactions to his disfigurement made him feel uncomfortable and so he returned to East Grinstead and met and married Joyce who was a nurse at the hospital. After the war Derek worked as a medical records officer and then for the Electricity Generating Board. When he retired, he dedicated his spare time to numerous clubs and societies as he felt he “owed the town”.

“Dad used to say that very often, even the night before their operations, the Guinea Pigs would go out and have a good time, they were even allowed to have a barrel of beer in the corner of the ward, and a piano and they’d have a sing song. McIndoe was a wonderful man, making the patients feel good about themselves in spite of all their injuries.”Sandra Underwood Adonia Montford Bebb was twelve when her

father, Sir Archibald McIndoe, started work at the Queen Victoria Hospital. She met a lot of the Guinea Pigs and sometimes watched her father carry out surgery.

“The Guinea Pigs loved him. He gave them enormous stick if they didn’t do as they were told or came back drunk or misbehaved in the town but he also gave the women a lot of stick for disapproving of having a keg of beer and a piano in the ward, because hospitals were supposed to be where you got better! He believed that it was just as important to look after their psychological welfare… you can imagine young men, they’d lost their faces, they’d lost the use of their hands, those were the usual airman’s burns.”Adonia Montford Bebb

Bob Marchant started work at East Grinstead Hospital as a theatre technician and he was gradually promoted and finished his career as the theatre ‘boss’. In the early 1970s, Bob became an ‘honorary Guinea Pig’ for his help with the social side of the Guinea Pig Club and he has been involved with the club ever since. The Guinea Pigs were renowned for their black humour and within the original committee, the Secretary was a pilot with badly burned fingers, meaning he was excused from writing many letters, and the Treasurer was a member whose legs were burned, ensuring he could not abscond with the funds!

“He wasn’t strict, but he demanded high standards all the time. Everybody, especially the Guinea Pigs related to him as God, sort of thing. When he died, it was like a big dark cloud came over the hospital, we all had to carry on, you couldn’t stop operating, because patients were waiting for their operations but the whole atmosphere in theatres changed for that day as the great man had gone, but life had to go on, and something else took over.”Bob Marchant

During the war Gill Newmarch was a civilian worker at the Canadian Air Force HQ in London. She joined a party of girls that used to visit hospitals to distribute magazines, cigarettes and chocolate and visited East Grinstead every Sunday for two years between 1942 and 1943.

“I went out with one of them up to London one day. I couldn’t understand why everybody on the bus was staring at him. I think it was then that I realised that we were lucky because to us they had never looked any different as we had become so accustomed to them. The spirit of the lads was wonderful regarding their operations as they used to brightly say, “I’m going on the slab next week” and they could have as many as 25 operations. They used to take the skin for the grafts from all sorts of parts of the body and one of the patients with the worst burns, the only part that was left unscarred was his bottom, and the next time we went in, he was saying “kiss my arse!”Gill Newmarch

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Sharing Memories

As part of their oral history training, students learnt how to conduct an interview and how to write an interview guide. They had an opportunity to try out their newly learnt skills when those who had met Sir Archibald McIndoe or remembered seeing injured men in the town were invited into school to share their memories. This is what they found out…

Above: McIndoe pioneered a method of skin grafting which remained attached to the body from removal until use.

Above: Derek Crane and his daughter, Sandra, at one of the many Guinea Pig reunions.

Above: McIndoe encouraged medical and non-medical staff to watch operations.

Right: The Guinea Pigs had their own club emblem.

Bob Marchant,

Guinea Pig Club Secretary

Gill Newmarch

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Jean worked in the welfare department at the hospital helping the men into future employment. Jean was later awarded the MBE for her work for local organisations.

“The patients very sadly had very serious injuries, major things like losing the nose, or losing the eyelids but because all the patients were the same, we soon got used to seeing them and helping them and noticing things getting a bit better over the years.”Jean Glynn

Margaret waited on tables in the officer’s mess at the hospital and remembers serving Clark Gable who was a friend of McIndoes. Lots of ‘showbiz’ people used to visit and the patients sometimes went to see shows in London.

“It was a series of very traumatic operations, but they used to laugh, say here’s my pedicle, you know, they made fun of it, but we took them as ordinary people.”Margaret Barton

Marion was evacuated during the war but her parents had open house for the Guinea Pigs who walked into town from the hospital. Her father was in the British Red Cross and used to accompany the men as they travelled to other parts of the country.

“It was quite sad to be going away from our parents to Wales and it was difficult going into a school where they didn’t speak English.”Marion Pocock

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Yvonne trained as a nurse at Guys Hospital in London and then came to East Grinstead Hospital where she trained with McIndoe for a year in burns and plastic surgery.

“You knew who was in charge with Sir Archibald but he was kind, you know, you could see the kindness with his patients. When he was giving his talks and lectures to train us, his emphasis was always on, they are a person, whatever the injury, you treat them as perfectly normal people.”Yvonne Kennard

Jill was a medical secretary at East Grinstead Hospital and she went on to train as a nurse. During the war, a German bomb hit the Whitehall Cinema where the town’s school children were watching a film, killing 108 and injuring 235. Almost everyone in the town knew someone who was killed or injured. Jill had intended to go to the cinema on the day it was bombed but the weather was poor so she stayed at home.

“I lost some friends in the bombing. Amongst them was little Margaret Slight (her name is on the memorial in East Grinstead) who was killed along with her mother. I can see her now, with her little pig tails, she sat next to me and she was my best friend, and her chair was empty.”Jill Archer

Jean Glynn, MBE

Margaret Barton

Marion Pocock

Yvonne Kennard

Left: On 9 July 1943 a lone German bomber pilot spotted a convoy of army trucks along East Grinstead High Street and dropped eight bombs, causing the largest single wartime loss of life in Sussex. Many of the victims were children, watching a matinee performance of Hopalong Cassidy at the Whitehall Cinema in London Road.

Jill Archer

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Christine’s father was in the army and they often had land girls living with them. She regularly saw the injured airman when she travelled on the bus. “We were quite used to seeing them. They were very wounded with chins wired up and skin grafts going on, but we didn’t take that much notice of them, we just used to say hello to them and they mixed with us very well.”Christine Faulkner

Patricia had facial injuries received from a bomb blast in London and was a patient in the hospital in 1944.

“Whenever there was an air raid warning, you just dived for the shelter. The one that got me was a flying bomb, it came over and I was in the way of a glass window.”Patricia Dyer

Shirley’s husband, Colin, worked in the Pathology department at the Queen Victoria Hospital when Sir Archibald was there. They attended the dances at the Felbridge hotel when it was the annual Guinea Pig weekend.

“Some of them were only 19 or 20 and had really given up when they were so badly hurt, but through Sir Archibald they had fun times, they had the piano and they used to sing songs, share jokes and the nurses would join in. They didn’t have to have hospital clothes on, except when they were actually having an operation so it made them feel more normal.”Shirley Streeter

Angela was a patient on the children’s ‘Peanut’ ward at the same time that many of the airmen were also at Queen Victoria Hospital.

“The airmen used to bring chocolates for the children, I think because they liked talking to the nurses, but they were great fun and always seemed happy and supportive of one another.”Angela Cole

Robin was a school boy during the war and sometimes he found it exciting. He remembers that a plane landed in a tree and the remains were there for years.

“Every time we went up the town, you saw the Guinea Pigs, it was just another person in the town, you took no notice. There were soldiers billeted all round the town and before D-day every big house had been taken over by the Canadians and then suddenly, a few days after D-day, they were all gone. They disappeared over night.”Robin Streatfield

“Sir Archibald McIndoe’s work has had a huge impact because we still today try to work on the same principles that he had, that our research must be totally patient centred. So we speak to the surgeons and find out what the patients want from their treatment, and then we look for answers to the problems that the surgeons have. We’re also starting new projects where we will be engaging with patients and families to look at the psychological impact of a burn, and see how we can help people after they’ve had their injury to cope with their altered appearance.”Jacquie Pinney, Chief Executive of the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation

Christine Faulkner

Angela Cole

Robin Streatfield

Shirley Streeter

Above: The Hospital School at the Queen Victoria allowed education to continue for those having to stay for a long time.

Left: McIndoe ensured the prettiest nurses were sent to Ward 3.

Above: Queen Victoria hospital where 57 of the survivors from the cinema bombing were treated.

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