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Fraud! Remembrance Day conman who marched with 'impossible' haul of 17 medals
By Fay Schlesinger
Last updated at 9:11 AM on 05th December 2009
Cheered by thousands as he marched alongside brave troops during a Remembrance Day parade, he looked every inch the battle-hardened war veteran.
But on closer inspection, his striking collection of 17 medals - including the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross - was not what it seemed.
No single servicemen could have been awarded all the medals, and they were wrongly displayed, experts said last night.
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Last night a hunt was under way for the fraudster after he took part in a big Remembrance Day parade in Bedworth, Warwickshire.
Wearing decorations without authority is a criminal offence under the Army Act 1955.
Bereaved families of servicemen killed in Afghanistan were among the crowds who applauded as he passed, but organisers became suspicious when they noticed his array of medals. He wore badges from campaigns including the Second World War, Korea and the Falklands, medals for both officers and other ranks, and foreign decorations.
The man, in a beige SAS beret, was confronted by a march organiser. He is said to have admitted to being a fake before leaving.
Martin Harrison, a medals expert from the Bedworth Armistice Day Parade committee, said the display of decorations was clearly fake.
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So proud: Veterans hold military banners at the parade
He said: 'To start with you never wear two rows of medals - you wear one long row overlapping. The entire order is wrong.
'But the real outrage is over the gallantry awards. Swanning around with things he is not entitled to, especially under the present circumstances, is offensive.'
Fraud! Remembrance Day conman who marched with 'impossible' haul of 17 medals
By Fay Schlesinger
Last updated at 9:11 AM on 05th December 2009
Cheered by thousands as he marched alongside brave troops during a Remembrance Day parade, he looked every inch the battle-hardened war veteran.
But on closer inspection, his striking collection of 17 medals - including the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross - was not what it seemed.
No single servicemen could have been awarded all the medals, and they were wrongly displayed, experts said last night.
Enlarge
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Last night a hunt was under way for the fraudster after he took part in a big Remembrance Day parade in Bedworth, Warwickshire.
Wearing decorations without authority is a criminal offence under the Army Act 1955.
Bereaved families of servicemen killed in Afghanistan were among the crowds who applauded as he passed, but organisers became suspicious when they noticed his array of medals. He wore badges from campaigns including the Second World War, Korea and the Falklands, medals for both officers and other ranks, and foreign decorations.
The man, in a beige SAS beret, was confronted by a march organiser. He is said to have admitted to being a fake before leaving.
Martin Harrison, a medals expert from the Bedworth Armistice Day Parade committee, said the display of decorations was clearly fake.
Enlarge
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2009%2F12%2F05%2Farticle-1233188-0778F976000005DC-240_634x421.jpg&hash=4c4f8ab8b5085e2bf26e5ac384bcb94d)
He said: 'To start with you never wear two rows of medals - you wear one long row overlapping. The entire order is wrong.
'But the real outrage is over the gallantry awards. Swanning around with things he is not entitled to, especially under the present circumstances, is offensive.'
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