Blue plaque unveiled to honour plastic surgeon

John Grocott is believed to be the first in-house plastic surgeon in Stoke-on-Trent

A blue plaque has been unveiled in Stoke-on-Trent to honour a surgeon who treated hundreds of injured servicemen during World War Two.

John Grocott, from Fenton, was based at The North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary from 1933 until 1975 and was believed to have been one of the first people in the country to have specialised in plastic surgery.

His story was highlighted following the publication of Unsung Heroes of Wartime Stoke by the author Ros Unwin.

The plaque in the plastic and reconstructive surgeon's honour was unveiled at Fenton Town Hall on Saturday.

The plaque has been unveiled in his home town

In the spring of 1939, he was left in charge of the Stoke-on-Trent hospital at the age of 29, while the efforts of other surgeons there were focused on tending to those injured in London, author Ms Unwin has said.

Soon after, he was recruited into the emergency medical service, where he treated hundreds of injured soldiers.

A large crowd gathered outside Fenton Town Hall for the unveiling

The author added: "He helped so many people and stayed in Stoke until 1974, when he retired. So many people have contacted us to say that they were helped by him."

Jane Pugh was one of his patients after being hit by a car as a child – she has been campaigning to boost his recognition.

She told BBC Radio Stoke: "I've met quite a few of John's ex-patients who have had facial scarring or who were born with cleft lip or cleft palate. It's transformative; it really is life-changing."