A man was arrested after a 'fake rear admiral' gatecrashed a Remembrance service, wearing a glittering array of medals and a naval uniform. The incident occurred in Llandudno, where hundreds of people had gathered to mark Remembrance Sunday with a two-minute silence and the laying of poppy wreaths. The Welsh town's Royal Naval Association spotted unusual elements in the uniform, including epaulettes and sleeve lace of a rear admiral, a two-star rank and one of the most senior positions in the Royal Navy. The man's 12 decorations included the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal, a combination that raised eyebrows as no individual serviceman is known to have received both. He was also wearing an MBE and a non-regulation shirt with cutaway collars not worn by naval officers. The alleged fakery was picked up by an online group called the Walter Mitty Hunters’ Club, which aims to expose those who seek to exploit the honour of the HM Forces for personal gain or glorification. A Royal Navy spokesperson said that impersonating a naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and could be considered a criminal offence. The spokesperson emphasized that 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 those who have served or are serving their country.
