Brain tissue samples from Scottish soldier returned to grave 85 years after death

Tissue samples taken from a Scottish soldier who died in a prisoner-of-war hospital in 1941 have been returned to his grave in Berlin. Private Donnie MacRae, from the Scottish Highlands, died on March 6, 1941, after developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

German doctors removed portions of his brain and spinal tissue during a post-mortem examination. The samples were sent to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Psychiatry in Munich, later known as the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, and remained there after the war.

An international research group reviewing stored specimens identified the material and arranged its return. Ministry of Defence case worker Nicola Nash said the family learned of the removal only after the group began its work.

Service held at Berlin cemetery A service took place this week at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Two relatives attended. Rich Hills, director of commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said the family was relieved that the samples had been reunited with the original remains.

Private MacRae was born in 1907 in Badachro, South Gairloch, to Roderick MacRae and Mary MacLean. He had three brothers and planned to open a tailoring business in Blair Atholl before enlisting in 1939. He served with the 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, was captured in 1940, and died the following year at age 33.

His body was initially buried by German authorities and later reinterred by Allied forces in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.