Elderly man poses as SAS veteran with 21 medals in Remembrance Day parade

Ziggy · 4 Dec 2009 at 15:59

Cheered by thousands of well-wishers as he marched proudly alongside brave troops during a Remembrance Day parade, the elderly man looked every part 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.

[...]

He wore badges from campaigns including the Second World War, Korea and the Falklands, plus medals for both officers and privates, and several foreign badges.

Military experts confirmed it would be impossible for one man to have been awarded all the decorations.

The conman wore the dagger and flames of the SAS on his beret, poppy and tie-pin, and a veteran's badge on his lapel.

Emblazoned across his chest were 17 medals starting with the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross - the highest ranking awards after the Victoria Cross.

Source.

lol

Takes some nerve to try that. Can't be right in the head.

Morgoth · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:00

Ahaha, what a player.

GobzzzMp3 · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:03

=/ Savage...

HEADRAT · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:03

What a staggering lack of respect

cheets64 · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:04

He doesn't look that elderly.

Skully · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:04

That made me angry.

mattheman · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:06

maybe not

Hitman_Leon · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:06

Disgusting, taking an ego trip on other peoples gallantry, no excuse.

Viper² · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:07

**** of the highest order.

Ghosteh · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:09

Very much one of them fellers who sit lonely in the pub, and either claims to be "One of them" or to say "I was going to join the forces, but...". Complete ****.

Nix · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:10

We don't know this chap's motivation, so I'm witholding judgement. For all we know, he may have took it upon himself to march on behalf of those who served. Lack of respect? The man may have had nothing but respect for those who served. He marched, and that's far more than a lot of people I know did. Some couldn't even be bothered to keep a minute's silence, let alone learn the history.

He's not hurting anyone. He doesn't seem like he's out for personal validation (any veteran would've spotted the incongruity regarding the medals). Another absolute non-story from Britains resident trash paper.

Hotwired · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:11

Lets buy some medals and a beret to go marching as a veteran?

****** if he was faking it for the roleplay tbh :/

Westie · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:12

lol legend sounds like some people in my local!

LiE · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:12

What a disgusting tie :mad:

HEADRAT · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:13

The march is for those who served, the watch and silence is for the rest of us.

Malt_Vinegar · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:15

Exactly Headrat,

The lack of regimental tie is also a bit of a give-away...

Oh, and that Beret is a disgrace!

matt_fsr · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:16

Bang out of order IMO.

Perhaps the excuse for the medals marching on behalf of others would have washed... except for the SAS beret.

He's been reading too much Andy McNab... what a tool! :mad:

Trifid · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:17

Nix said:
took it upon himself to march on behalf of those who served.

I thought this as well. It is likely that he marched with the (deceased?) families medals and ones he may or may not have acquired.

"andy" · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:19

maybe some of the medals are his own. and some he is wearing for others who arent still arouns to be there. old mates or his father/brother etc

s0ck · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:19

Nix said:
We don't know this chap's motivation, so I'm witholding judgement. For all we know, he may have took it upon himself to march on behalf of those who served.

That was my thinking too...