Man arrested after ‘fake rear admiral’ gatecrashes Remembrance service
Police arrested a man after a suspected fraudster attended a Remembrance wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday and saluted a war memorial dressed as a senior naval officer with glittering medals.
North Wales Police told Independent A 64-year-old man from the Harlech area of Gwynedd was arrested on Friday for offenses relating to the illegal use of military uniforms following the incident in Llandudno.
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: “We can confirm that a naval uniform and various medals were seized from inside during a search of the man’s address earlier today.”
While hundreds of people attended the Remembrance ceremony on Sunday last week, observing a two-minute silence and witnessing the laying of poppy wreaths in Llandudno, members of the Welsh town’s Royal Marine Corps reportedly noticed some unusual elements on a soldier’s uniform.
Photos taken last weekend show a man wearing a uniform that includes the epaulettes and sleeve lace of a rear admiral, a two-star rank and one of the most senior positions in the Royal Navy.
His 12 decorations included the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), awarded for “highly successful command and leadership” during active operations, and the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal, which can only be awarded to civilian reservists who undertake part-time duties in the army.
The combination of these two medals raised eyebrows as no soldier is known to have received both decorations. He was also wearing an MBE and a non-regulation shirt with a cut-off collar, not worn by naval officers.
The alleged fraud was carried out by an online group called the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, named after the fictional character whose tragic delusional fantasies robbed him of his own reputation. The group aims to expose “those who exploit the dignity of HM Forces for their personal gain or glorification”.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: Independent: “Impersonating a naval officer is an insult to anyone connected with the service and may be considered a criminal offence.
“Nothing should diminish the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday, which can be a somber time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the UK to pay tribute to those who have served or are serving their country.”
