Percy Hennell and the Dawn of Colour Photography

BAPRAS holds a signficant Collection of photographs by Percy Hennell, a pioneer of colour photogrpahy. 

Hennell photographed civilian and military patients undergoing reconstructive surgery and treatment  between 1940 and 1945.  He worked across with plastic surgeons across RAF hospitals and institutions around London with specialist plastic surgery units.  The images show injuries typical of the Second World War including burns sustained by RAF pilots, bomb blast lacerations of Blitz victims, compound fractures caused by shrapnel, fractured jaws treated with external fixations, immersion foot and frostbite caused by exposure to the slip stream at high altitude.  Hennell’s work documents surgical procedures, vital wound cleaning techniques and the administration of penicillin, use of which was in its infancy.  Archibald McIndoe, who worked with the Guinea Pig club, also worked with Hennell in producing a series of images to reinforce the importance of pilot’s wearing helmet and goggles to reduce the extent of facial burns in the event of a crash.  Hennell’s work with surgeons was invaluable at supporting plastic surgeons in their surgeons of traumatic injuries during the war.

Hennell’s work is significant in the history of photography, as well as plastic surgery.  The techniques and equipment he used enabled him to produce colour images that did not easily fade.