‘Fake admiral’ who blagged his way into remembrance ceremony is arrested 

Police say a man has been arrested following an investigation into a suspected fake admiral at a Remembrance Sunday event. North Wales Police said a 64-year-old man, from the Harlech area of Gwynedd, was arrested on suspicion of offences relating to the unlawful use of military uniforms. Images widely circulated in the press and on social media showed a man wearing the uniform and medals of a high-ranking navy officer whilst in attendance at the wreath-laying service in Llandudno on 9 November. The force said inquiries into the incident were ongoing. Ch Insp Trystan Bevan said: "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." WALES NEWS SERVICE
The man has been named in reports as a retired history teacher who once worked at Eton (Picture: Wales News Services)

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.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: LlandudnoTownCouncil/BNPS PLEASE LEGAL Pictured: The suspected imposter (left). An investigation has been launched after a suspected imposter dressed as a highly decorated naval officer took centre stage at a town's Remembrance Sunday event. The mystery man turned up unannounced at the war memorial in Llandudno, north Wales, wearing the Royal Navy uniform of a Rear Admiral. He impressed local dignitaries with his magnificent display of military medals pinned to his chest including the prestigious DSO. It was only afterwards when the local town hall started getting messages from people questioning whether the man was an imposter that suspicions grew.
The man joined a procession and was then seen laying a wreath (Picture: BNPS)

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.’

Police say a man has been arrested following an investigation into a suspected fake admiral at a Remembrance Sunday event. North Wales Police said a 64-year-old man, from the Harlech area of Gwynedd, was arrested on suspicion of offences relating to the unlawful use of military uniforms. Images widely circulated in the press and on social media showed a man wearing the uniform and medals of a high-ranking navy officer whilst in attendance at the wreath-laying service in Llandudno on 9 November. The force said inquiries into the incident were ongoing. Ch Insp Trystan Bevan said: "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." WALES NEWS SERVICE
Suspicions were raised after military buffs who saw the medals online noticed inconsistencies (Picture: Wales News Service)

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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