Guinea Pig Club Patch

Alongside the unofficial patches (never sanctioned by the Air Ministry or Command for wear) of the Goldfish Club, The Late Arrivals Club, or the Caterpillar Club, members of The Guinea Pig Club were an even fewer collection of men. 
 
Established in 1941, it was a social club and mutual support network for British and allied aircrew injured during World War II. Its membership was made up of patients of Archibald McIndoe in Ward III at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Sussex, who had undergone experimental reconstructive plastic surgery, including facial reconstruction, generally after receiving burns injuries in aircraft crashed or shot down in battle.
 
Acquired from the widow of Michael D Franklin this beautifully embroidered badge was gifted by British airman, Flt Sgt John "Andy" Anderson, who Mr Franklin met in hospital in October 1940 having been transfered from Kings College Hospital to East Grinstead with severe facial injuries of his own. It was not unknown for Dr McIndoe to extend his early pioneering facial reconstruction techniques to civilians, in this case a child aged 6 yrs old, who was befriended by the many airmen undergoing their own treatments with McIndoe for injuries suffered in battle. As always a young child's inquisitive nature brought him into contact with Brits, Poles, and Australian airmen on their own ward.
 
This is a vintage, and extremely rare acquisition given the unofficial nature of the club, the small number of recipients, and the fact it was gifted by an injured airman entitled to wear it himself. Another in this condition certifiably original, is very unlikely to come to market. Andy Anderson died in 1978 from cancer.