A man accused of posing as a naval officer made headlines after crashing a Remembrance Sunday ceremony. He now faces charges of unlawfully wearing a military uniform adorned with insignia of His Majesty’s forces.
Jonathan Carley, 64, hailing from Harlech, Gwynedd, was taken into custody at his residence following the event, which took place 40 miles away in Llandudno.
Carley is scheduled to appear before Caernarfon magistrates’ court on December 11.
His actions, which included laying a wreath and saluting while sporting an array of medals on his chest, stirred outrage at the ceremony.
The alleged fraud then proceeded to join dignitaries, such as the mayor, at the solemn occasion commemorating Britain’s war heroes.
Carley was reportedly attired in a Rear Admiral’s uniform, complete with 12 medals fastened to his jacket.
They included the prestigious Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal, which is only given to military reservists.
But the two medals together led online sleuths to question his legitimacy – because no single serviceperson is believed to have been bestowed with both.
Suspected ‘fake’ admiral Jonathan Carley, 64, who has been charged after gate crashing a Remembrance Sunday event
Pictured left to right: A Distinguished Service Order Medal and The Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal
The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a group dedicated to unearthing cases of ‘stolen valour’, say records indicate no one has earned both awards.
And when Carley was asked by the parade marshal who he was, he claimed to be representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.
But both the Lord Lieutenant and the council claim they do not know who the man is, with the local authority stating he was not on their guest list.
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said tonight: ‘We understand that this incident has caused significant public concern, particularly given its occurrence on Remembrance Sunday.
‘In response to the reports made to North Wales Police, officers have responded swiftly to make an arrest and proceed with charges.
‘We urge members of the public to avoid online speculation and to refrain from sharing any content that could compromise future court proceedings.’
The Daily Mail previously revealed that Carley has donned the same fake admiral costume in two other Remembrance Sunday services in Caernarfon – once in 2018 and again in 2019.
Pictured: Jonathan Carley (centre) at a Remembrance Sunday service in 2018
Jonathan Carley at another war memorial service wearing a rear admiral outfit in 2019
Mr Carley is only mentioned once in the London Gazette, the official record for military listing.
However, he is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant on probation with the combined cadet force Cheltenham College, where he was a history teacher.
He has also previously said he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, as well as a business degree at Harvard.
In a newspaper article he said he had been a boat captain at Oxford and had rowed at the top US university.
‘As a schoolmaster, he coached at Eton and Cheltenham before moving to Shiplake,’ the article read.
Carley was a history and politics teacher at Cheltenham college in 1988 before moving on to £17,500-a-term Shiplake four years later, The Sun reported.
A Llandudno council spokesman said: ‘The Town Council was not aware of, or notified of, the gentleman’s attendance in advance. He appeared on the day.
‘He was approached by the Parade Marshall and identified himself as a Rear Admiral and that he was representing the Lord Lieutenants Office.
‘The Council would like to add that it would not wish this to overshadow what was an excellent parade and remembrance service, and that with the exception of the identity of the gentleman he laid his wreath respectfully before leaving.
‘The Council understands that military organisations are looking into this, and we are awaiting any response.’
A Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd spokesman said: ‘The Lord Lieutenant had no knowledge of asking anyone to go to the event on his behalf.
‘The council sent over a photograph of the man but nobody here recognised him. The matter is under investigation at the moment.’
A Royal Navy spokesman said: ‘Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and could be considered a criminal offence.
‘Nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday which can be a sombre time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
