Episode Details

Main Speaker: Louisa Hormann, Archives Technician at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Other Speakers: Dave Homewood and W/C Brett Marshall

Recorded: 1st of September 2019

Released: 25th of September 2019

Duration: 39 minutes 50 seconds

This is the first episode from the recent Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. We hear an introduction from Dave Homewood, and a welcome to the crowd from Wing Commander Brett Marshall. And then the first speaker of the day was Louisa Hormann who works as an Archives Technician at the Museum.

Louisa makes a fascinating presentation based on her research into The Guinea Pig Club, whose members were burn victims that were being treated using pioneering plastic surgery techniques at the RAF Hospital at East Grinstead. Louisa details the background of the surgical techniques and the club, and she talks about the New Zealand connections with all four of the main surgeons. She also gives some personal stories of New Zealanders who were members of the club. Also discussed is how the work of the surgeons and the members of the Club are remembered today in the museum context.

Above: Louisa Hormann during her talk (Photo Phil Treweek)

Above: Louisa Hormann during her talk (Photo Phil Treweek)

Above: Among the club’s many social exploits was the monthly publication of The Guinea Pig magazine. The illustration in the Guinea Pigs’ thought bubble would change every issue. From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

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