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The Stoke-on-Trent unsung hero who treated thousands of injured WWII soldiers

Now John Grocott is being recognised in a Hanley exhibition

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Plastic surgeon John Grocott

An exhibition highlighting the pioneering work of one of Stoke-on-Trents unsung heroes has gone on show at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. The opening of the display dedicated to plastic surgeon John Grocott will be followed by an official launch at the Hanley museum on January 23.

John helped change the lives of so many people for the better before, during and after the Second World War but remains largely unheralded in his home city. The launch of the Hanley display coincides with the news that the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) is to include Fenton-born John in their Icons and Heroes Gallery in its new virtual museum.

Trained by Sir Harold Gillies and Archibald McIndoe, two of the original Big Four of British Plastic Surgery, John was the first in-house plastic surgeon outside London, taking charge of the North Staffs Infirmarys plastic surgery unit in 1939, when he was just 29, and running it singlehandedly throughout the war and beyond.

John Grocott is the unknown Fifth Man of British Plastic surgery, and the first of its second generation, says Martin Coady, Curator of the BAPRAS Collection.

His considerable skills were recognised early on, but personal modesty contributed to his flying under the radar compared to many trained later during the Second World War. This has hidden many significant contributions he made to the lives of people nationwide during that war, and over many years afterwards to the people of the Potteries.

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The John Grocott exhibition at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, in Hanley

Between D-Day in June 1944 and the end of February 1945, almost 3,000 servicemen, from all over the country, were brought to Stoke-on-Trent for treatment. Those with life-changing facial injuries and burns were placed in the care of John, who rebuilt jaws, mouths and cheeks, created eyelids, noses and ears. And changed lives for the better while also continuing his general surgery.

Johns genius in helping to rebuild the lives of many seriously injured servicemen is now, at long last, gradually being acknowledged. And, thanks to the support of the City Council Museums Service and increasing awareness of local people of Johns story, there is now this display about him at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.

Located within the Spitfire Gallery, the display case dedicated to John is filled with items relating to his life and work in Stoke-on-Trent. More details can be found here.

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