A man dressed as a Rear Admiral with a chest covered in fake medals has left veterans furious after turning up at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales.
The suspected imposter managed to get into the wreath-laying event and saluted at the war memorial whilst wearing a naval uniform adorned with around 12 medals.
His appearance at the solemn occasion has triggered widespread anger amongst military veterans and caught the attention of the Walter Mitty Hunters Club on Facebook, a group that specialise in exposing people who falsely claim military honours.
The man wasn't on any official guest list for the ceremony.
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The medals pinned to his uniform included combinations that military experts say are impossible to achieve together.
He wore the Distinguished Service Order, typically awarded to infantry officers, alongside the Queen's Voluntary Reserves Medal, which is given exclusively to military reservists.
The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, an online community that investigates false military claims, examined the medal combination and found no records of anyone legitimately earning both honours.
Members of the group called him an "absolute belter" and suggested "this might be the highest ranking Walt attempt ever" - referring to their nickname for military impostors.
A man dressed as a Rear Admiral with a chest covered in fake medals has left veterans furious after turning up at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales
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"His cuffs dropping down to his knuckles," one user described, adding that it was a "non-regulation shirt" with "no other badges or pilot's wings".
When the parade marshal approached him during the ceremony, the man insisted he was there on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.
But Lord Lieutenant Harry Fethersonhaugh quickly shot down that claim, telling The Sun: "I have never seen him before in my life."
A Royal Navy source expressed near certainty that the individual was fraudulent, stating they were "99.9 per cent certain" he was an imposter.
The suspected imposter managed to get into the wreath-laying event and saluted at the war memorial whilst wearing a naval uniform adorned with around twelve medals
|"It's the medals that'll get him," the source added, pointing to the obvious inconsistencies in his decorations that would expose his deception to anyone familiar with military honours.
Llandudno council confirmed they weren't told about his attendance beforehand, with a spokesperson explaining that whilst he "laid his wreath respectfully and behaved before leaving," military organisations are now investigating the matter.
The council stressed they wouldn't want this incident to detract from what was "an excellent parade and remembrance service."
This comes just days after another high-profile case of alleged military deception, when Northamptonshire's former Chief Constable Nick Adderley faced court over claims he lied about his Royal Navy service.
A Sun investigation revealed the dismissed police chief wore a Falklands War medal despite being only a child when the conflict took place.
The 59-year-old has been charged with fraud and misconduct in public office.
Astonishingly, it is claimed that the defendant allegedly made the claims on his CV during his bid to become Northamptonshire Police’s chief constable back in June 2018.
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