The Imperial War Graves Commission, founded in 1917, organized graves registration for Commonwealth soldiers during both world conflicts. Today, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission honours 1.7 million fallen soldiers. Since 2010, discoveries have significantly increased, prompting a professionalization of the Recovery Unit and the implementation of a rapid response protocol, dedicated resources and an outreach programme to encourage reporting while minimizing site disruptions. With over 90 remains recovered every year, the Recovery Unit implements a forensic archaeology approach to assess the discovered remains, ensure meticulous documentation and preserve context. Although primarily commemorative, the RU follows a field protocol aligned with local laws, aiding identification and respecting legal processes. This approach supports rapid site assessment and jurisdiction transfer, facilitating cooperation with judicial authorities. Following excavation, detailed biological and social profiles are created to aid identification, supplemented by advanced artefact restoration techniques. Contextual research further refines identifications, with cases peer reviewed for accuracy and ethical considerations. The Recovery Unit aims to enhance its practices by adopting forensic archaeology standards, focusing on systematic desktop research and standardized site assessments. By leveraging historical data and Geographic Information System technology, the unit seeks to optimize recovery efforts, improve identification rates and ultimately honour the sacrifices of missing casualties more effectively.