Henry McGhie is the head of collections and the curator of zoology at Manchester Museum. He recently took part in the repatriation of the skull of a Japanese world war two soldier that was part of the museum’s collection. The handover to the Japanese authorities was the culmination of nearly 10 years of negotiations.
Can you tell us a bit about the object and how it came to be in Manchester Museum's collection?
The skull was transferred to the museum from the university’s anatomy department in the 1970s. It was accompanied by a letter that explained that it was removed from a grave on a battlefield in Burma in 1945, and that the body had been wearing a Japanese soldier’s uniform. It isn’t clear who removed the skull from the grave, or who brought it back to Britain.
Why did the negotiations for the handover take nearly 10 years?
Negotiations started around 10 years ago but weren’t completed as there was frequent turnover of staff among the Japanese authorities and we lost continuity. They renewed the request recently as part of their initiative to reclaim Japanese war dead, brought about by the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war.
What happened at the handover ceremony?
Myself and Tim Manley, the head of marketing and communications at Manchester Museum, met with the Japanese authorities. We discussed the history of the skull, and how it came to be in the museum.
The Japanese authorities explained that they were also visiting other European museums to collect similar remains, and that the remains would be held at the Japanese national cemetery at Chidorigafuchi.
I explained that the museum was privileged that the authorities had made the long journey to collect the remains, and formally handed over the skull to them, along with a copy of all paperwork and correspondence associated with the skull.
What objects and remains has the museum repatriated in the past?
Australian Aborigine and Maori human remains have been repatriated in the past. Our approach to repatriation has been to engage in proactive constructive dialogue with claimants.
Can you tell us a bit about the object and how it came to be in Manchester Museum's collection?
The skull was transferred to the museum from the university’s anatomy department in the 1970s. It was accompanied by a letter that explained that it was removed from a grave on a battlefield in Burma in 1945, and that the body had been wearing a Japanese soldier’s uniform. It isn’t clear who removed the skull from the grave, or who brought it back to Britain.
Why did the negotiations for the handover take nearly 10 years?
Negotiations started around 10 years ago but weren’t completed as there was frequent turnover of staff among the Japanese authorities and we lost continuity. They renewed the request recently as part of their initiative to reclaim Japanese war dead, brought about by the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war.
What happened at the handover ceremony?
Myself and Tim Manley, the head of marketing and communications at Manchester Museum, met with the Japanese authorities. We discussed the history of the skull, and how it came to be in the museum.
The Japanese authorities explained that they were also visiting other European museums to collect similar remains, and that the remains would be held at the Japanese national cemetery at Chidorigafuchi.
I explained that the museum was privileged that the authorities had made the long journey to collect the remains, and formally handed over the skull to them, along with a copy of all paperwork and correspondence associated with the skull.
What objects and remains has the museum repatriated in the past?
Australian Aborigine and Maori human remains have been repatriated in the past. Our approach to repatriation has been to engage in proactive constructive dialogue with claimants.
