A man who joined a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno dressed as a high-ranking Royal Navy officer is now under investigation, after veterans and serving personnel raised suspicions that he may have been posing as a Rear Admiral.
Authorities are looking into the man’s identity after he took part in last weekend’s wreath-laying on the seafront in Conwy county.
Witnesses said he marched to the war memorial with a colleague, saluted, and then walked away, but his uniform quickly drew attention.
He was seen wearing the epaulettes and sleeve lace of a Rear Admiral, one of the Royal Navy’s highest two-star ranks, as well as a set of medals that included the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), an award issued only in exceptional circumstances and rarely granted since 1979.
Members of the town’s Royal Naval Association were among those who questioned the authenticity of the attire.
Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry, who held the rank from 2005 to 2008, said the DSO was an easy spot, noting that only a small number of personnel ever reach Rear Admiral rank.
Llandudno Town Council, which organised the event, confirmed no officer of that rank had been expected to attend. Greg Robbins, chair of the council’s civic sub-committee, said the parade marshal challenged the man, who claimed he held the rank and was representing the Lord Lieutenant’s office.
To avoid disrupting the solemn ceremony, he was allowed to remain in the procession.
The Ministry of Defence said it is working with local organisers to identify the man and determine whether a criminal offence was committed.
“Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and can be considered a criminal offence,” a spokesperson said, adding that nothing should detract from the significance of Remembrance Sunday for military families.
