U-turn over war graves post funding
ARMY chiefs are set to restore funding to resume the search for 500,000 forgotten heroes of the killing fields of the Western Front.
A pledge to “review” the cut comes a week after The Sunday Post exposed the war graves scandal.
The Ministry of Defence had, until a few months ago, paid for a £27,000 post for an “adjudicator” at the National Army Museum in London.
The administrator was essential to military researchers searching for the last resting places of First World War soldiers who have no official war graves.
But, following The Sunday Post’s exclusive, a spokesman for the Army said it is “currently reviewing the service agreement we have with the museum”.
The step means it is likely funding will be restored to provide an invaluable service which brings comfort to the families of the fallen.
Nic Andrews, of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said he was delighted.
“We have around 100 cases outstanding and we look forward to seeing the high quality service provided by NAM resumed as soon as possible,” he said.
Military historian Evelyn McKechnie said: “The Sunday Post should be congratulated for achieving this result.
“It would have been swept under the carpet.
“Identifying the last resting places of our military heroes is our incredibly important duty.”
Researchers, whose mission is to locate the fallen heroes and place their names above their graves, were dismayed when they learned the adjudicator, who had unique access to official Army records, was no longer available.
A spokeswoman for the National Army Museum said: “There are ongoing discussions between the museum and the MoD about funding to complete the project.”