On Remembrance Sunday, the nation fell silent to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. Across the UK, veterans gathered at war memorials wearing their hard-earned medals with pride. But in Llandudno, North Wales, one man's display of military honours sparked national outrage and reignited calls for stronger legislation against military impersonators.
The Llandudno Incident
Jonathan Carley, 64, now faces criminal charges after appearing at a Remembrance Sunday commemoration wearing what authorities suspect was an illegitimate military uniform adorned with twelve medals. The display immediately raised suspicions among observers and veterans alike.
Carley has been formally charged with wearing uniform bearing the mark of His Majesty's Forces without permission. He is alleged to have saluted the war memorial while wearing a combination of medals that no serviceman has ever legitimately earned. The questionable medal arrangement appeared to include both the Distinguished Service Order and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal positioned incorrectly on the left-hand side.
The Psychology Behind Military Impersonation
Former British Army Colonel Philip Ingram recently explained the mindset behind what he describes as 'incredibly disrespectful' behaviour. 'They feel inadequate in themselves,' Colonel Ingram told the Mail. 'They want to portray themselves as something they're not, and that suggests there's something in their life that has gone wrong.'
The latest incident has intensified demands for a Stolen Valour Act that would specifically criminalise pretending to be a war hero. While the existing Uniform Act already makes it an offence to wear military uniform without the monarch's permission for those not serving in His Majesty's Military Forces, campaigners argue that stronger, more targeted legislation is needed.
Notorious Cases of Stolen Valour
The Walter Mitty Hunters Club has dedicated over a decade to exposing fake war heroes and has vowed to continue their work until proper stolen valour legislation is introduced in the UK. Their efforts have uncovered numerous high-profile cases:
James Edward Yeates: The actor who appeared in The Crown was exposed as a stolen valour conman who posed as an Army officer with fake medals. The 42-year-old claimed to be a reservist Captain within the British Army's intelligence corps, sharing pictures online in full uniform and sporting a chest full of medals. He even participated in functions at the Honourable Artillery Company's base in London alongside genuine veterans and serving personnel.
'Baz' Porter: This former soldier claimed to be one of only three veterans alive who held both the Victoria Cross and Queen's Gallantry Medal. Had his claims been true, he would have ranked among the most decorated soldiers in recent history. In reality, he served in the Light Infantry from 1997 to 2004 before being exposed by his former partner.
Josh King: A parish councillor who wore his cousin's war medals and claimed he was a decorated Army veteran shot 21 times by the IRA. He was forced to resign from Wroughton parish council in 2022 after villagers exposed his lies during a Falklands anniversary parade.
Chris Webber: Posing as a Falklands War veteran, Webber even duped Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, boasting about risky undercover operations. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club exposed him after spotting that two of his medals were non-military and his cap badge dated back to King George VI's reign.
Edward Stewart: Condemned as a 'complete Walter Mitty character', Stewart pretended to be an SAS hero and former bodyguard for Princess Diana. In a particularly cruel twist, he was jailed in 2021 for stealing from his 94-year-old father - a genuine veteran.
Greg Brackenridge: The former Wolverhampton mayor sparked outrage when it emerged he had falsely claimed service as a Royal Marine during a speech unveiling a statue to commemorate Sikh soldiers.
Mark Izzard: A lorry driver who maintained a 15-year deception with his partner Tracey, claiming he'd fought in Iraq and sustained serious battle injuries. He manufactured an entirely fictional military past, even sending himself fake discharge letters from the SAS.
Martin Heaver: Described as 'despicable' by a judge, Heaver posed as a member of the Parachute Regiment to con people into sponsoring him for a charity challenge, claiming to help a terminally ill child who didn't exist.
Jo England: Claimed to be one of the most highly decorated combat doctors, having received the Queen's Gallantry Medal during an Afghanistan tour. The Ministry of Defence confirmed she never served in the Army.
Peter Jackson: A former mayor and Liberal Democrat councillor who posed as a decorated war hero at his town's Remembrance Day service in 2021, wearing the Queen's Gallantry Medal and claiming service in the Falklands.
Nick Adderley: The former Northamptonshire Police chief constable recently appeared in court accused of lying about his military experience, including false claims of serving as a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy during the Falklands War.
Growing Momentum for Legislative Change
Each new case of stolen valour strengthens the argument for specific legislation to address this growing problem. Campaigners emphasise that while existing laws provide some protection, they don't adequately address the specific harm caused by those who falsely claim military honours and experiences they never earned.
The Walter Mitty Hunters Club and other advocacy groups continue to monitor Remembrance services and public events, determined to protect the integrity of genuine military service until proper legal safeguards are established. As one veteran organisation stated: 'The courage and sacrifice of our service personnel must be protected from those who would cheapen their honour for personal gain.'
