Terry StewartAuthorities are investigating whether a man who participated in a Remembrance Sunday ceremony dressed as a high-ranking naval officer was a fake.
The man took part in laying the wreath in Llandudno, Co Conwy, on Sunday, and saluted the war memorial before leaving with a colleague.
Serving and former service personnel became suspicious when they saw him dressed as a Rear Admiral and wearing the rare Distinguished Service Order medal.
The Ministry of Defense said it was taking it very seriously, adding that impersonating a naval officer can be considered a criminal offence.
Hundreds of people were on Llandudno seafront last weekend for the traditional period of silence and the laying of poppy wreaths to mark Remembrance Sunday.
But members of the city’s Royal Naval Association spotted a man wearing an unusual uniform among the ranks of serving and ex-servicemen and women.
The man wore the epaulets and lace sleeves of a rear admiral, a two-star position that is one of the highest ranks in the Royal Navy.
He also had a number of medals on his chest, including the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), which is awarded for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, and which very few personnel have received since 1979.
Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry, who held the position between 2005 and 2008, told the BBC that “only 3% of people who join the navy become rear admiral.”
“You’re eight ranks above and two below the chief of the navy, and you never lose rank,” he said, adding that a soldier must perform “very well” to earn the rank.
Several veterans and serving officers have expressed concern on social media that the man at the wreath-laying ceremony in Llandudno last weekend was not a rear admiral and did not win all the medals he was wearing.
Llandudno Council, which organized the event, confirmed that no one of that rank was required to attend the ceremony.
Greg Robbins, chairman of the council’s civic sub-committee, said: “The man was challenged by the parade marshal but stated that he was of some rank and represented the office of the Lord Lieutenant.
“The parade marshal had no choice but to accommodate him at the wreath-laying ceremony.
“The most important thing about Remembrance Sunday ceremonies is that they are appropriately dignified, as this one was.
“This individual did not disrupt the ceremony, but we are interested in finding out who he was and will work with the Ministry of Defense in their investigation.”
The man was seen walking in formation towards the war memorial with a colleague, wearing a khaki uniform.
The colleague laid a wreath before the couple waved and left together.
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said: “Impersonating a naval officer is an insult to anyone connected with the service and may be considered a criminal offence.
“Nothing should detract from the intensity of Remembrance Sunday, which can be a somber time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the country to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.”
