A 64-year-old man has been arrested in North Wales following extraordinary allegations that he posed as a highly decorated naval officer during a solemn Remembrance Sunday ceremony.
The Suspicious Appearance
The incident unfolded on 9th November in the coastal town of Llandudno, Clwyd, where the man reportedly arrived unannounced at the war memorial wearing the full dress uniform of a Royal Navy rear admiral. According to witnesses, the individual's uniform featured an impressive array of medals, including what appeared to be the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) - the second-highest military award for gallantry.
Photographs from the event show the man taking his place alongside genuine senior military officers and participating fully in the ceremony. He was observed laying a wreath at the war memorial before stepping back to deliver a formal salute, blending seamlessly with legitimate attendees throughout the service.
Revelation and Investigation
Concerns began to emerge after the ceremony when Llandudno Town Council and the Lord Lieutenant for Clwyd conducted routine verification checks and concluded the man was likely an impostor. Council officials confirmed they had no prior knowledge of his attendance and hadn't received any notification that a rear admiral would be participating in their local event.
A council spokesperson revealed that their parade marshal had approached the individual during the ceremony. The man allegedly claimed to be representing the Lord Lieutenant's office, which later proved to be false. Despite the deception, witnesses noted that he conducted himself respectfully throughout the proceedings before departing.
Police Action and Recovery
North Wales Police confirmed on Friday that they had arrested a 64-year-old man from Harlech on suspicion of offences relating to the unlawful use of military uniforms. The investigation took a significant turn when officers executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence.
Ch Insp Trystan Bevan stated: "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." The police emphasised that their inquiries are continuing and promised to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
The case has raised questions about security protocols at high-profile public ceremonies and the ease with which individuals can acquire authentic-looking military regalia. The incident occurred during one of Britain's most sacred annual traditions, where communities gather to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict.
