A man has been arrested after allegedly pretending to be a decorated naval officer in order to take part in a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Wales.
The 64-year-old is said to have donned a realistic Rear Admiral uniform with 12 medals pinned to his jacket.
He was seen laying a wreath and saluting the war memorial in Llandudno alongside real officers and veterans on Sunday.
Amateur sleuths raised suspicions after spotting two medals that are believed to have never both been awarded to one member of the military.
These were the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), awarded for gallantry in combat, and the Volunteer Reserves Medal, awarded for exemplary service in the reserves.
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The man has been named in reports as Jonathan David Carley, a retired history teacher who worked at top private schools including Eton College.
Officials said the ‘fake admiral’ nearly had his cover blown but managed to allay suspicions.
Llandudno councillor Greg Robbins 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.’
On Friday North Wales police said: ‘Images widely circulated in the press and on social media showed a male wearing the uniform and medals of a high-ranking navy officer while in attendance at the wreath-laying service.
‘The man, who resides in the Harlech area, was arrested for offences relating to the unlawful use of military uniforms.”
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: ‘Our inquiries 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.’
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