https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15291767/Police-arrested-man-fake-admiral-Remembrance-Sunday-event.html'Fake' admiral who 'took centre stage at Remembrance Sunday event while wearing phoney medals' is arrested
By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER
Published: 14:44, 14 November 2025 | Updated: 16:13, 14 November 2025
A suspected 'fake' admiral has been arrested after he was accused of wearing the uniform and medals of a 'high-ranking' navy officer at a Remembrance Sunday event. A man ignited fury over the weekend after he was reportedly pictured dressed in a Rear Admiral uniform while laying wreaths at the cenotaph in Llandundo, north Wales. Online sleuths first became suspicious after they spotted the individual allegedly dressed in a Rear Admiral uniform with 12 medals pinned to his jacket. But it was allegedly two medals the prestigious Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal that raised questions. No single serviceperson is believed to have been bestowed with both. Now, police have arrested a 64-year-old man, who lives in Harlech, under the Uniforms Act 1984 in relation to an incident on November 9. The accused man was seen marching to the war memorial before saluting and taking his place next to VIPs at the event honouring Britain's fallen heroes. But the alarm was raised when a military enthusiast group, the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, were unable to find records of anyone having been awarded the gongs on his chest. 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.'
Llandudno Town Council, who ran the event, confirmed they were 'not aware of' the man's attendance and he was not on their guest list. When the man was asked by the parade marshal who he was on Sunday, he allegedly claimed to be representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd. However, Lord Lieutenant Harry Fetherstonhaugh denied knowing the man in question, telling The Sun: 'I've never seen him in my life.'
Greg Robbins, chair of the council's civic sub-committee, revealed a parade marshal had challenged the man. But, they were 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,' he told the BBC.
'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.'
A North Wales Police spokesperson said: 'A 64-year-old male has been arrested in connection with an incident at the Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno on November 9. Images widely circulated in the Press and on social media showed a male wearing the uniform and medals of a high-ranking navy officer whilst 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.'
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: 'Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and could be considered a criminal offence. 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.'
