The Guinea Pig Club

The Guinea Pig Club was a group of British pilots and aircrew who participated in experimental surgeries after severe burns during World War II. Many faced disfiguring injuries and underwent pioneering skin graft procedures, often as part of medical research. Formed in 1941 at the Brooke Hospital in London, the club provided mutual support and camaraderie for those recovering from these groundbreaking, sometimes risky, treatments. Their experiences helped advance medical techniques for treating burns and complex injuries, and the club remains a symbol of resilience and medical innovation in the face of adversity.