War hero graves after Army post

Mr Pugh said: “I asked NAM a week ago to check my outstanding cases and was told categorically the job was gone and because of cuts they didn’t know whether it would be replaced.

“Without an adjudicator, the cases cannot go any further.”

When researchers believe they have located a missing hero, giving him a name, the adjudicator was able to access records to establish if that soldier had fought and died in the region.

The loss of the essential administrative role, in the year commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, was described as a slap in the face and condemned by those dedicated to locating 500,000 missing British and Commonwealth soldiers, including countless Scots, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

Nic Andrews, of the CWGC, believes the families of war heroes who gave their lives for Britain deserve better.

He said: “I think most people would comment that this isn’t the best timing in the world.”

“Three years ago, two adjudicators were funded by the Army. From Last year, there was one, but since mid- January no- one has been in post and have 100 cases waiting.”

Mr Andrews revealed the CWGC had made“informal” representations hoped the position would be reinstated.

He added: “I think they will have to reshuffle priorities. This work really matters.”

He added: “Wi t h o u t the adjudication ser vice, families waiting for completion of a war grave application won’t get closure, and