Father Murdo Ewen MacDonald, “Padre Mac”, was Stalag Luft 3's beloved chaplain.

MacDonald was serving as a paratrooper chaplain with the British Army's 1st Parachute Brigade when he was captured in Tunisia. He was one of a handful of Stalag Luft 3 POWs who was not a downed airman, but he was able to convince the Germans that he was British Air Force.

Padre Mac felt it was a POW's Christian duty to escape, and he often encouraged POWs to do so. He helped organize "The Great Escape", and had planned on escaping that day, but he felt called to stay and minister to the camp instead. His place was taken by a Danish airman who was one of the 50 killed in the aftermath of the escape. MacDonald later called that the saddest day of his life.

Padre Mac was a great friend, mentor, and spiritual advisor to all of the POWs. He helped them find faith and hope in the most dire circumstances, and he left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

For his service and leadership at Stalag Luft 3, Padre Mac was awarded the American Bronze Star.

After the war, MacDonald became a professor at Trinity College in Glasgow. He attended many Stalag Luft 3 reunions over the years, and he also wrote a book about his life titled: Padre Mac: The Autobiography of Murdo Ewen Macdonald of Harris.

He lived to the age of 88 and lies in rest in Isle of Harris, Scotland.

Padre Mac is one of Henley's Heroes and he is not forgotten.