The skeleton of Johann David Max Dreyssig, a German immigrant and war hero, has been buried in Adelaide, 113 years after his death. Dreyssig's remains were on display at the South Australian Museum for almost 80 years, having been sold to the institution for £10 in 1920 by his doctor, Professor Archibald Watson.
Dreyssig, who died of cancer at age 62 in 1913, had given his body to Watson. However, Anna Russo, the museum's repatriation manager, stated at his funeral that laws at the time did not permit individuals to donate their bodies to doctors, a fact she believes Watson, the hospital, and the museum would have known.
The museum collaborated with Adelaide's German community to organise Dreyssig's burial at West Terrace cemetery on Saturday. His casket was draped with the German flag, and a Lutheran pastor read the last rites. A wake followed at Adelaide's German Club.
Dreyssig, who served in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 and was awarded the Iron Cross, moved to Australia in 1885. He was known for his involvement in the German expat community and for proudly wearing his Iron Cross at patriotic celebrations.
His skeleton was removed from display in 2019 after a German visitor complained to the German government in 2009 about the indignity of his remains being exhibited. Dr Rob Saint, chair of the museum's board, acknowledged that the museum's past practices fell short of current standards of respect and ethical responsibility.