An impostor 'admiral' has been arrested after parading at a major military ceremony. He saluted regularly and sat down among the dignitaries without being disturbed
A supposed “admiral” fake was arrested after being accused of wearing the uniform and medals of a high-ranking naval officer at a Memorial Day ceremony.
The man was caught at the Remembrance Day ceremony PHOTO X / Mike Alderson
The man sparked outrage at the weekend after he was photographed dressed in a rear admiral's uniform while laying wreaths at the cenotaph in Llandudno, North Wales, writes the Daily Mail.
Netizens became suspicious when they noticed the individual dressed in a rear admiral's uniform with 12 medals pinned to his jacket.
But two of these – the prestigious Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal – have raised the most questions. No military man is known to have been awarded both awards.
Police have now arrested a 64-year-old man from Harlech under the Uniforms Act 1984 in connection with an incident on November 9. The man was seen marching towards the heroes' monument, greeting and taking a seat next to VIP guests at the event dedicated to Britain's fallen heroes.
“Impostor hunters” raised the alarm
The alert came when a group of military enthusiasts, the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, failed to find any trace in the records of the medals displayed by the man.
Chief Commissioner Trystan Bevan saidt: “Our investigation is ongoing. We can confirm that following a search of the man's home today, a naval uniform and several medals were recovered. We will provide updates as they become available.”
Llandudno Borough Council, the organizer of the event, confirmed it was unaware of the man's presence and that he was not on the guest list. When asked by the master of ceremonies who he was, the man allegedly claimed to represent the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.
Greg Robbins, chairman of the council's civics committee, said the master of ceremonies confronted the man. However, the organizers remained, he says, “with little choice, being forced to accept him in the wreath-laying ceremony”.
“The most important thing at the Remembrance Day ceremonies is for them to be carried out with due dignity, and this was”he told the BBC. “The individual did not disrupt the ceremony, but we want to find out who he is and will be working with the Ministry of Defense in their investigation.”
Arrested for illegal use of military uniform
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “A 64-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an incident at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Llandudno on November 9. Photographs widely shared in the media and on social media show a man wearing the uniform and medals of a senior naval officer during the wreath-laying ceremony. The man, who lives in the Harlech area, has been arrested for offenses relating to the illegal use of military uniform.”
A Royal Navy spokesman pointed out: “Impersonating a naval officer is insulting to anyone connected with the military service and can constitute an offence. Nothing should overshadow the solemnity of Thanksgiving, which is a moment of reflection for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for communities across the UK to pay tribute to those who have served or are serving the country.”
