Blond McIndoe Research Foundation in collaboration with the East Grinstead Business Association and the Town Council is leading a project to commemorate the work of Sir Archibald McIndoe by erecting a statue in East Grinstead. 

Sculptor Martin Jennings has been commissioned to produce the statue, which we hope will stand in front of Sackville College on the High Street. Sir Archibald and East Grinstead became widely known during WW2, when he treated many badly burnt airmen at the Queen Victoria Hospital, and East Grinstead became “the town that didn’t stare”, as its residents made sure that the recovering airmen were not made to feel uncomfortable as they visited the town.

Martin Jennings was the first choice to work on this project: his statues such as John Betjeman at St. Pancras station have become celebrated landmarks. When contacted, Martin was very keen to work on the project and surprised everyone by revealing that he had a personal connection with Sir Archibald. During the WW2, his father was a tank commander and burnt in a fierce battle. Sir Archibald treated him at East Grinstead and he made a successful recovery. As Martin grew up, he heard nothing but praise for the great surgeon who had helped his father.

Filmmakers Barbara Myers and Paul Loman of Homegrown Films are documenting this project. They have been following Martin on his visits to East Grinstead where he saw for the first time his father’s medical records and explored the preferred site of the statue, before starting work on the sculpture at his Oxford studio. You can view a taster of this film below.