The Soldier's Injury

Much of the BAPRAS Collection focusses upon surgical achievement and surgeons. But it is patients for whom Plastic Surgery techniques were developed. Their experiences are central to our story. In this Gallery we describe the journey of one serviceman following severe facial injury- Lieutenant David Bye, injured during the later stages of the Second World War.

Devastating facial injuries were not only a feature of the First World War. We know much about David Bye’s journey from injury in Greece to his subsequent reconstruction and rehabilitation from his own words. Contained within two evocative and contemporary personal diaries, he started writing during initial hospitalisation in Italy. Together with material from his letters combined with accounts from his surviving family, this gallery describes a devastating facial injury, how it was managed and the life-long, life changing consequences it had upon his life and those around him. These records serve as a vivid illustration of not only the surgical endeavour, but of the stoicism with which many servicemen bore similar injuries. They also demonstrate the whole family and community effort involved in rehabilitation and re-integration of these servicemen into post-war society.

David Bye’s story is told with contributions from his family.

The original inspiration for this gallery and much material, came from the book "Unsung Heroes of Wartime Stoke: How Pastic Surgery Came to the North Staffs Royal Infirmary" with the permission of its author, Ros Unwin.