MOD War Detectives (the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre Commemorations team): our future services, current appeals and past cases
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-05)

Find out about future services and what current appeals are ongoing.

No further services are planned for 2025. Our 2026 service program will begin in mid-March and details of services will be uploaded to this page around 1 month before.

Appeals for family

There are no appeals outstanding at this time.

Our past cases

Details of some of the MOD War Detectives’ past cases can be found below:

Gurkhas lay to rest unknown war hero (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gurkhas-lay-to-rest-unknown-war-hero)

One of the first ‘unknown’ British soldiers of World War 1 identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-of-the-first-unknown-british-soldiers-of-world-war-1-identified-in-belgium)

Graves of three previously unknown World War 1 soldiers identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-three-previously-unknown-world-war-1-soldiers-identified-in-belgium)

Graves of lost World War 1 Marines identified in France and Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-lost-world-war-1-marines-identified-in-france-and-belgium)

Graves of missing Bedfordshire Officers identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-missing-bedfordshire-officers-of-world-war-1-identified-in-belgium)

First World War soldier from Haslingden buried in France - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-world-war-soldier-from-haslingden-buried-in-france)

Four First World War soldiers from Grimsby buried in France - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/four-first-world-war-soldiers-from-grimsby-buried-in-france)

British and German soldiers of the Great War laid to rest together near Ypres - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-german-soldiers-of-the-great-war-laid-to-rest-together-near-ypres)

Three members of RAF Lancaster Crew buried in the Netherlands - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-members-of-raf-lancaster-crew-buried-in-the-netherlands)

Scottish soldiers buried in France on the 110th anniversary of their deaths - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scottish-soldiers-buried-in-france-on-the-110th-anniversary-of-their-deaths)

Eight British soldiers of the Great War laid to rest in France - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eight-british-soldiers-of-the-great-war-laid-to-rest-in-france)

Two World War One Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders commemorated in France - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-world-war-one-argyll-sutherland-highlanders-commemorated-in-france)

Grave of missing soldier identified in Belgium - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-soldier-identified-in-belgium)

Grave of missing World War One soldier identified in France - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-world-war-one-soldier-identified-in-france)

Soldier of the Highland Light Infantry Rededicated in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/soldier-of-the-highland-light-infantry-rededicated-in-france)

Graves of four soldiers killed in 1940 identified in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-four-soldiers-killed-in-1940-identified-in-france)

Graves of three soldiers killed in Normandy identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-three-soldiers-killed-in-normandy-identified)

Grave of missing World War One Captain identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-world-war-one-captain-identified-in-belgium)

Grave of missing World War One CSM identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-world-war-one-company-serjeant-major-identified-in-belgium)

Lost World War One soldier found in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lost-world-war-one-soldier-found-in-france)

Windsor soldier of World War One buried with full military honours (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/windsor-soldier-of-world-war-1-buried-with-full-military-honours)

Unknown soldiers buried in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unknown-soldiers-buried-in-france)

Three ‘unknown’ soldiers of World War One finally found (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-unknown-soldiers-of-world-war-one-finally-found)

‘Unknown’ soldier’s grave identified 107 years after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unknown-soldiers-grave-identified-107-years-after-his-death)

Grave of Missing Windsor Soldier of World War One Identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-windsor-soldier-of-world-war-one-identified-in-belgium)

Grave of lost Scottish soldier of World War One identified in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-lost-scottish-soldier-of-world-war-one-identified-in-france)

Graves of Lost Korean War soldiers identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-lost-korean-war-soldiers-identified)

Grave of lost World War Two soldier located in Italy (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-lost-world-war-two-soldier-located-in-italy)

Grave of missing World War Two soldier identified in Italy (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-world-war-two-soldier-identified-in-italy)

Grave of missing World War Two soldier identified in Italy 80 years after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-world-war-two-soldier-identified-in-italy-80-years-after-his-death)

HRH The Princess Royal remembers fallen Scottish soldiers (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hrh-the-princess-royal-remembers-fallen-scottish-soldiers)

Graves of Royal Dublin Fusiliers located in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-royal-dublin-fusiliers-located-in-belgium)

Grave of missing soldier identified in Belgium nearly 110 years after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-missing-soldier-identified-in-belgium-nearly-110-years-after-his-death)

Graves of two World War 1 officers of The Royal Irish Fusiliers identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-world-war-1-officers-of-the-royal-irish-fusiliers-identified)

Grave of Donegal soldier identified in France more than 100 years after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-donegal-soldier-identified-in-france-more-than-100-years-after-his-death)

Graves of six soldiers of Welsh regiments identified on Western Front (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-six-soldiers-of-welsh-regiments-identified-on-the-western-front)

World War One Soldiers Buried in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-war-one-soldiers-buried-in-france)

Two World War One Soldiers Buried in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-world-war-one-soldiers-buried-in-france)

Officer of the Cheshire Regiment killed in World War One laid to rest in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/officer-of-the-cheshire-regiment-killed-in-world-war-one-laid-to-rest-in-france)

Dundee soldier buried with military honours in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dundee-soldier-buried-with-military-honours)

Grave of Yorkshire Soldier identified in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-yorkshire-soldier-identified-in-france)

Graves of five soldiers of the York and Lancaster Regiment identified on the Western Front (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-five-soldiers-of-the-york-and-lancaster-regiment-identified-on-the-western-front)

Graves of two World War One soldiers identified in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-world-war-one-soldiers-identified-in-france)

Graves of lost World War One soldiers identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-lost-world-war-one-soldiers-identified-in-belgium)

Grave of Yorkshire Soldier identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-yorkshire-soldier-identified-in-belgium)

Grave of Derbyshire-born Royal Marine identified in the Netherlands (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-derbyshire-born-royal-marine-identified-in-the-netherlands)

Graves of two Glasgow soldiers rediscovered in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-glasgow-soldiers-rediscovered-in-belgium)

Three Great War soldiers buried with full military honours in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-great-war-soldiers-buried-with-full-military-honours-in-belgium)

Graves of Two Scottish Soldiers Rededicated in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-scottish-soldiers-rededicated-in-france)

Remains of Coldstream Guards missing since 1944 found in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/remains-of-coldstream-guards-missing-since-1944-found-in-france)

Grave of Wolverhampton soldier killed in Normandy during World War Two identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-wolverhampton-soldier-killed-in-normandy-during-world-war-two-identified)

Graves of three comrades killed in Normandy following D-Day identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-three-comrades-killed-in-normandy-following-d-day-identified)

Three Great War soldiers buried in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-great-war-soldiers-buried-in-belgium)

Three Great War soldiers buried in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-great-war-soldiers-buried-in-france)

Soldier killed on the Somme buried more than 100 years after his death (http://www.gov.uk/government/news/soldier-killed-on-the-somme-buried-more-than-100-years-after-his-death)

Ceremony for World War 2 airman identified 83 years after fatal flight (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ceremony-for-world-war-2-airman-identified-83-years-after-fatal-flight)

Remains of World War 1 airman finally identified (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/remains-of-world-war-1-airman-finally-identified)

World War 1 stretcher bearer buried in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-war-1-stretcher-bearer-buried-in-belgium)

Graves of two soldiers of the Great War rededicated in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-soldiers-of-the-great-war-rededicated-in-france)

Soldiers who fell in France a generation apart honoured in graveside ceremonies (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/soldiers-who-fell-in-france-a-generation-apart-honoured-in-graveside-ceremonies)

Graves of two officers missing since 1918 rededicated in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-officers-missing-since-1918-rededicated-in-france)

Grave of a Worcestershire Soldier Identified in Belgium (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-a-worcestershire-soldier-identified-in-belguim)

Graves of two soldiers killed in northern France rededicated (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-soldiers-killed-in-northern-france-rededicated)

Sheffield soldier of the Great War laid to rest 105 years after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sheffield-soldier-of-the-great-war-laid-to-rest-105-years-after-his-death)

Graves of six Great War soldiers rededicated (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-six-great-war-soldiers-rededicated)

British airman laid to rest 78 years after fatal flight (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-airman-laid-to-rest-78-years-after-fatal-flight)

WW2 airman buried in the Netherlands (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ww2-airman-buried-in-the-netherlands)

WW2 burial in the Netherlands (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ww2-burial-in-the-netherlands)

Unknown Grenadier Guard finally laid to rest (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unknown-grenadier-guard-laid-to-rest)

Graves of two Royal Naval Division officers rededicated in France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rededication-services-in-france)

Seven soldiers of the Great War finally laid to rest (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/seven-soldiers-of-the-great-war-finally-laid-to-rest)

WW1 Royal Air Force officer’s grave rededicated. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ww1-royal-air-force-officers-grave-rededicated)

Two Great War RAF officers’ graves rededicated. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-great-war-raf-officers-graves-rededicated)

Graves of two Great War casualties finally rededicated. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-two-great-war-casualties-finally-rededicated)

Unknown WW1 soldier identified as relative of poet Wordsworth. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-2nd-lt-osmund-bartle-wordsworth-identified)

WW2 officer’s grave rededicated in France. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ww2-officers-grave-rededicated-in-france)

Rededication services held in Belgium for Capt Hugh Travers, DSO, and Sjt Frederick Cardy. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-irish-ww1-soldiers-graves-rededicated-in-belgium)

Rededication services in France for Lieutenant (Lt) Frederic Hornby Lever Rushton MC and Private (Pte) John Martin Roberts. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rededication-services-for-irish-soldiers-lost-in-the-great-war)

Burial of Pte William Johnston and an unknown East Yorkshire Regiment soldier (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/engraved-spoon-helps-identify-ww1-casualty)

Blessing service in Italy for Flying Officer Arnold Hallas (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/blessing-ceremony-for-ww2-airman-arnold-hallas-in-italy)

Unknown WW2 British Soldier buried in Italy. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unknown-british-ww2-soldier-buried)
- Graves of Rifleman (Rfn) Albert George Sleet, Lieutenant (Lt) Wilfrid Ashton Piercy and Serjeant (Sjt) James Gration DCM rededicated in France. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-war-soldiers-graves-rededicated-in-france)
- Graves of 2Lt Sam Hughes and CSM David Jones DCM rededicated in northern France (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/graves-of-2-lt-sam-hughes-and-csm-david-jones-dcm-rededicated-in-northern-france)
- Final resting place of Yorkshire Regiment soldier identified more than a century after his death (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rededication-service-for-cpl-frederick-herbert-skinner)
- Nine soldiers of the Great War buried a century after their deaths (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nine-soldiers-of-the-great-war-honoured-a-century-after-their-deaths)
- WW1 soldier identified by his medal ribbons laid to rest in the presence of his family (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medal-ribbons-help-identify-great-war-casualty)
- Two unknown soldiers of the Great War finally buried (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-unknown-soldiers-of-the-great-war-honoured-for-their-sacrifice)
- Royal Flying Corps Observer’s grave finally identifed (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-royal-flying-corps-observer-killed-in-action-in-the-great-war-identified)
- British soldiers killed during WW2 are honoured as they are laid to rest (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-soldiers-killed-during-ww2-are-honoured-as-they-are-laid-to-rest)
- Services held for 2 Welsh brothers in arms killed during the Great War (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/services-held-for-2-welsh-brothers-in-arms-killed-during-the-great-war)
- Grave of Royal Welsh Fusilier identified a century after his death in the Great War (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grave-of-royal-welsh-fusilier-identified-a-century-after-his-death-in-the-great-war)
- Family of World War 1 soldiers attend their relatives’ funeral a century after they gave their lives (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/family-of-world-war-1-soldiers-attend-their-relatives-funeral-a-century-after-they-gave-their-lives).
Related information
- Find out who we are (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-war-detectives-the-joint-casualty-and-compassionate-centre-commemorations-team-who-we-are)
- Find out what we do (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-war-detectives-the-joint-casualty-and-compassionate-centre-commemorations-team-what-we-do)
- See our contact details (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-war-detectives-the-joint-casualty-and-compassionate-centre-commemorations-team-who-we-are#contact-us)