Dr. Albert Ross Tilley 2
Storyboard Text
- Tilley and McIndoe started using saline baths to ease the pain and clean the burns. Tilley encouraged the dead tissue to come off, aided by soaking in the saline. After this process a then sheet of skin was taken from a donor site, usually the thigh and applied to the raw areas.
- The typical "Airman's Burn" involved deep damage to the face and hands. A thin skin graft was only the first stage of healing. Areas such as the nose, ears, eyelids, and lips needed much more than just a thin skin covering. In some cases faces were built involving transfer of tissue from other parts of the body.
- Dr. Tilley realized the importance of rebuilding the spirit as well as the body and found ways to cut through any red tape to his patients' recovery, an important part in boosting morale among the injured men.
- THE GUINEA PIG CLUB
- Since many innovative treatments for burns were in the experimental stage, the young men considered themselves to be guinea pigs, adopting the name Guinea Pig Club in 1941
- The Guinea Pig Club
- Dr. Tilley was a big advocate for the airmen in his care. His approach to his patients in the Guinea Pig Club was firm and gentle and he was viewed as a father figure, confidant, and advisor
- Of the many RCAF pilots treated by Dr. Tilley, were three inducted members of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.
- I'm William Newson, I was inducted in 1984
- I'm Stan Reynolds, I was inducted in 2009
- I'm Paul Davoud, I was inducted in 1985
- As soon as the patients felt better they were taken to the town of East Grinstead where the people accepted them and helped them get back into society. This helped the soldiers get back to life.
- The attitude fostered early healing of mind as well as bodies and these patients never lost hope. Those who were physically capable returned to service much more quickly and some went on to have distinguished flying careers. Dr. Tilley became well known for providing the best possible treatments for burns.
- THE GUINEA PIG CLUBCANADIAN CHAPTER
- Of the Guinea Pig Club's 649 members, 176 were Canadians. After the war, a Canadian chapter was formed with Dr. Tilley as President. The club sustained many Air Force veterans through difficult times as they returned to civilian life.
- After the war, Dr. Tilley returned to Canada and started work at Wellesley and Sunnybrook Hospitals in Toronto, Ontario. He also taught classes at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
- Dr. Tilley is the recipient of many awards, including in 1944 being appointed Officer of the British Empire, and in 1981 was appointed Member of the Order of Canada.Dr. Tilley passed away in Toronto in April 1988.
- Dr. Tilley was posthumously inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006.
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