August 26, 1950

Surgical needles specially made in Redditch in response to an urgent request by a French surgeon were flown to France and used in an operation that saved the life of an eight-year-old child.

Michele Danger, of Lyon, was suffering from the heart trouble which produces a blue baby.

Professor Santy, a specialist in the complaint, decided to operate but found his suppliers of surgical needles in Paris had no stock of those he needed.

Paris agents of Messrs Shrimpton and Fletcher Ltd, Redditch, were approached with a request for one gross each of straight needles, curved needles and half-circle needles, with a tubular head which clamps the end of surgical thread.

The order was completed in just three days and flown over to Lyon on the fourth. The operation proved to be successful.