Man Posing as Rear Admiral at Remembrance Parade Faces Backlash

What was meant to be a solemn Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno turned into a flashpoint for veterans after a man in a rear admiral’s uniform, bedecked with a row of highly questionable medals, joined the wreath-laying. The individual, later identified as Jonathan David Carley, has sparked outrage from the armed forces community, who claim that his alleged impersonation disrespects the real sacrifices made by those who served.

Discrepancies Raise Alarms

Carley, 64, a retired teacher, attended the ceremony in what appeared to be an ill-fitting naval uniform bearing about 12 medals. Among them were honours that experts say should never appear together on a legitimate service record:

• The Distinguished Service Order (DSO), typically awarded for military command and leadership, and not usually given to naval officers.

• The Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal, reserved for reservists, and historically never awarded to someone holding the DSO.

• Other campaign or long-service medals, including what appears to be the Operation Telic (Iraq) medal.

These unusual combinations triggered concern among veterans. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a group that investigates false military claims, reviewed his medal rack and described it as possibly “the highest-ranking Walt attempt ever.”

Further raising suspicion was his shirt: a non-regulation white shirt with cutaway collars and oversized sleeves, inconsistent with proper Royal Navy dress.

Military Status Questioned

When challenged by the parade marshal during the event, Carley said he was representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd. But the Lord Lieutenant’s office denied any knowledge of him. Meanwhile, Llandudno Town Council confirmed Carley was not on their official guest list.

Veterans present at the event voiced their anger. Some saw his presence as deeply disrespectful, especially when such false claims intrude on moments meant to honour genuine service. A Royal Navy source described the alleged impersonation as “insulting to veterans” and suggested it could constitute a criminal offence.

Repeat Behaviour?

This isn’t the first time Carley has allegedly appeared in such guise. Investigations report that he allegedly turned up in a rear admiral’s uniform at Remembrance Sunday events in Caernarfon in previous years (2018, 2019), wearing similar medals.

The Broader Issue of Stolen Valour

This incident goes beyond one man’s alleged impersonation, it taps into a deeper problem: stolen valour. For real veterans, those who have been deployed, lost friends, or carry scars (visible and not), seeing someone falsely claim rank and sacrifice is deeply personal.

• Authenticity of service: When impostors wear unearned medals, it undermines the very meaning of those awards.

• Emotional harm: Veterans may feel their sacrifice is being trivialised.

• Accountability gap: In the UK, there’s limited legal penalty for wearing unearned medals unless fraud is involved.

• Public trust risk: If impostors can join formal remembrance ceremonies, it calls into question how rigorously veteran status is verified.

A Possible Solution: Veteran ID Cards

One positive tool in this fight is the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. The UK government recently rolled out a digital version, allowing former service members to prove their veteran status securely. Such a card could make it significantly harder for impostors  to masquerade their way into ceremonies and exploit the symbolism of service.

Calls for Reform

Pressure is growing within the veteran community to tighten controls. Some former service personnel are calling for new laws that criminalise false claims of military service, not just for fraud, but even for wearing uniforms or medals one has not earned. Meanwhile, the government is updating its systems: the Veteran Card was recently approved for use as voter ID.

What’s Next

• Military and civic organisations are reportedly reviewing what happened in Llandudno.

• Veterans’ groups are calling for more robust checking at public ceremonies.

• Campaigners want clearer legal consequences for stolen valour.

 For those who have truly served, wearing medals represents more than ribbons, they reflect sacrifice, camaraderie, and sometimes, loss. When someone makes up that story, it’s not just dishonesty, it’s an affront to memory.