Arrest after pretend ‘Walter Mitty’ Admiral ‘with phoney medals’ crashes Remembrance occasions
The man, 64, who was dubbed a supreme ‘Walter Mitty figure’ has been accused of posing as a Royal Navy admiral at Remembrance services across North Wales
A man dubbed a fake ‘Walter Mitty’ has been arrested after allegedly posing as a Royal Navy admiral at a Remembrance service. Military veterans were left livid over the weekend after the man with a chest full of phoney medals gatecrashed this year’s Remembrance Sunday service in Wales.
Donning a Royal Navy uniform decorated with medals, he allegedly wormed his way into the sacred ceremony by falsely claiming to represent the Lord Lieutenant’s Office at the Remembrance day event Llandudno, Conwy.
The individual, branded an ultimate “Walter Mitty figure“, even saluted at the war memorial whilst wreaths were being laid.
Fresh inquiries by North Wales Live have uncovered that the same bloke had previously turned up in Rear Admiral regalia at Remembrance Sunday services in Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Now a 64-year-old man has been arrested.
North Wales Police confirmed that the man, who resides in the Harlech area, was arrested for offences relating to the unlawful use of military uniforms.
He was accused of wearing a naval uniform adorned with 12 medals and the MBE.
The Royal Navy declared that masquerading as a Naval officer was “insulting to veterans”, reports North Wales Live.
Red flags were raised at the solemn Llandudno gathering when he turned up wearing what looked like a poorly-fitted uniform and non-regulation shirt whilst flaunting a chest packed with medals that simply couldn’t have been earned together.
The incident has been flagged to military organisations, though probes aren’t typically launched in such circumstances.
The suspected fake donned the Distinguished Service Order, a decoration traditionally bestowed upon infantry officers – yet no active Royal Navy officer has ever been granted the DSO, and it hasn’t been awarded for over thirty years.
He also sported the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal, which is exclusively given to military reservists and has never been received by any DSO recipient.
Two additional reserve long service medals were also on display.
He was spotted wearing an Operation Telic medal (Iraq) as well.
One furious observer posted online: “That was a conflict in which our very own Llewelyn Evans died and whose name is displayed on that very cenotaph… that level of disrespect is disgusting!”.
“He’s wearing the uniform and medals that 1,000s of men have died earning, or risked their lives.”
The individual was reported to the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a web-based group that probes fraudulent military claims.
Following their examination of his decorations, they declared it could be the “highest ranking Walt attempt ever”.
According to Llandudno Town Council, when the parade marshal confronted the individual during the ceremony, he maintained he was present representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.
However, the council confirmed he wasn’t included on their guest list.
The Royal Navy has slammed the impersonation of a Naval officer as “insulting’ to veterans” to veterans, stating: “Nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday which can be a sombre time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.”
The accused was labelled with “stolen valour”, a term used to describe the act of falsely claiming military service, rank, or medals to deceive others.
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan told The Sun today: “Our enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing.
“We can confirm that, during a search of the male’s address earlier today, a naval uniform and a selection of medals were recovered from within.
“Further updates on this investigation will be provided when available.”
Llandudno Town Council, which organised the event, confirmed that no-one of that rank had been due to attend the ceremony.
Greg Robbins, chair of the council’s civic sub-committee, previously said: “The man was challenged by the parade marshal, but stated that he was of a certain rank, and that he was representing the Lord Lieutenant’s office.
“The parade marshal was left with little choice but to accommodate him in the wreath-laying ceremony.
“The most important thing with Remembrance Sunday ceremonies is that they are suitably dignified, as this one was.
“This individual did not disrupt the ceremony, but we are keen to know who he was, and will be working with the Ministry of Defence on its investigation.”
North Wales Police said in a full statement: “A 64-year-old male has been arrested in connection with an incident at the Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno on 9 November.
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