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Opening Hours & Admission
C1941
Dimensions: 5cm x 2cm
Material: Metal
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Guinea Pig Club Badge Audio MP3 File
The Guinea Pig Club badge is a small silver metal badge, the length of a thumb. It shows the side view of a guinea pig, with a pair of large wings extending from the left and right hand sides of its profile.
The Guinea Pig Club was an exclusive club for patients of pioneering plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe, who treated RAF aircrew who had suffered burns, many of which were caused when bailing out of burning aircraft. Not only were McIndoe’s treatments revolutionary, but he also understood that a requirement of recovery was ensuring that these young men, often adapting to new physical appearances, were supported emotionally to reintegrate them back into society.
This Guinea Pig Club badge belonged to Flight Lieutenant Eric Stanley Lock, who was the most successful British fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain.