Investigation under way after uniformed man takes part in wreath‑laying
Officials are investigating whether a man who joined a Remembrance Sunday wreath‑laying in Llandudno, Conwy, was impersonating a senior Royal Navy officer after appearing in the dress of a rear admiral.
Hundreds of people gathered on the town's seafront for the traditional silence and the laying of poppy wreaths. Members of the Royal Naval Association noticed an unfamiliar figure wearing epaulettes and sleeve lace denoting the rank of rear admiral — one of the Royal Navy's highest ranks — and an array of medals, including a Distinguished Service Order (DSO), a decoration rarely awarded since 1979.
Veterans and serving personnel later expressed concern on social media that the man may not have been a genuine rear admiral and might not have legitimately earned the medals he displayed.
"Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and can be considered a criminal offence," a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, adding that nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday.
Llandudno Town Council, which organised the ceremony, said no one of that rank had been scheduled to attend. Greg Robbins, chair of the council's civic sub‑committee, said the parade marshal challenged the man, who claimed to be representing the Lord Lieutenant's office; the marshal then allowed him to take part so as not to disturb the service.
The man marched in formation to the town's war memorial with a colleague dressed in a khaki uniform. The colleague laid a wreath, both saluted the memorial and then walked away together.
Local organisers said the priority was preserving the dignity of the ceremony and that the individual did not disrupt proceedings. Llandudno Town Council confirmed it will work with the Ministry of Defence as part of the inquiry to establish the man's identity and how he came to be included.
The MoD emphasised the seriousness of the allegation and said it was treating the matter accordingly while veterans and members of the public await the outcome of the investigation.
