Is it wrong to identify as something you aren’t?

Sorry GNs but just have to respectfully point out, that none of US are who we say we are.

Cossy

Has anyone seen the Film (based on a true story) “Catch me if you can” ?

That was different, he put people's lives at risk. A non pilot flying a plane is a whole different ballgame to dressing up for a parade.

Oreo

That chap had never seen a naval sword tho had he? Neither have I come to that.Not that it matters.

Yes, it was quite probable he had if he was a photographer at such events, being a member of the TA and working for the RAF. Others noticed the different sword and unusual display of medals too.
Any RN veteran would recognise a Naval sword even if they had not been officer rank themselves.

It's the Walter Mitty syndrome, I suppose.

He wanted to be someone or something he's not but foolishly took it too damn far and made his fantasy public.

That chap had never seen a naval sword tho had he? Neither have I come to that.Not that it matters.

Excuse typos!

Oreo

I think the bystander may have never seen a sword before Allira and massive could just mean long.
Getting into the world of double entendres here now 🙈🤭

No, I sure the photographer would know what a Royal Navy sword looks like as it made him him immediately suspicious.

He had a massive sword on him and that is what really stuck out because we'd never seen it before," explained photographer Tony Mottram, who was taking pictures at the seaside resort's annual event in 2024 when he first spotted Carley.

He said Carley's medals, sword and the fact he was on his own made people wary.

"He kept in the background, but was suspicious because of that," said the 63-year-old who was in the Territorial Army and worked for the Royal Air Force.

It’s amazing what you can buy online isn’t it? Copies of uniforms, medals and swords.

Oreo

I think the bystander may have never seen a sword before Allira and massive could just mean long.
Getting into the world of double entendres here now 🙈🤭

😂😂😂😂😂

Wyllow3

On BBC news at 10pm - it's not the first time he has done it, it's about 4, we saw footage of previous impersonations. Incredibly arrogant, and definitely a brain chip wrong somewhere.

Clearly not what most of us would consider “normal”

I think the bystander may have never seen a sword before Allira and massive could just mean long.
Getting into the world of double entendres here now 🙈🤭

This man disrespects all those who like my uncle who risked their lives for their country.

Yes.

The thing is, he had the nerve to appear at all these occasions and others had suspected him for some time but he'd disappear quickly.

It is not just disrespectful to veterans, it brings the uniform into contempt.
(1)It shall not be lawful for any person not serving in Her Majesty’s Military Forces to wear without Her Majesty’s permission the uniform of any of those forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform:
Uniforms Act 1894

The sword was a ceremonial one.
I haven't seen a picture of the sword but it was described as "a massive sword".
A Royal Navy sword is long but narrow.

On BBC news at 10pm - it's not the first time he has done it, it's about 4, we saw footage of previous impersonations. Incredibly arrogant, and definitely a brain chip wrong somewhere.

Has anyone seen the Film (based on a true story) “Catch me if you can” ?

Of course it’s wrong, but sometimes it’s also funny.

The sword was a ceremonial one.

RosiesMawagain

Like an Economist at the Bank of England, or a chess champion?

😁Ah yes, the Reeves curriculum vitae.

REKA

It's almost a bit sad. He obviously wanted to be admired. And I doubt think he's particularly remorseful about his actions, he's just horrified to have been found out. Total humiliation and the opposite of the impact he wanted to have.

I’d guess that is true of everybody who pretends to be somebody they are not. They are pathetic figures underneath the persona they present, and I do feel sorry for them, whilst in no way endorsing what they do.

It's almost a bit sad. He obviously wanted to be admired. And I doubt think he's particularly remorseful about his actions, he's just horrified to have been found out. Total humiliation and the opposite of the impact he wanted to have.

Pretending to be something you’re not is always wrong, especially if you’re doing it to gain adulation, or to potentially cause harm e.g. as a doctor, or as in this instance simply causing upset to the genuine holders of the qualification.

Yes, it's wrong.

I doubt many care, but that doesn't make it right.

Like an Economist at the Bank of England, or a chess champion?

This clown did not even get misrepresenting as a Rear Admiral right. Lots of people, especially ex-naval people had suspected him for some time. The medals were wrong, he was claiming one of our highest gallantry awards, the one just below the VC.

My Great Uncle won this award in WW1 for an act or heroism. This man disrespects all those who like my uncle who risked their lives for their country. The most this man had ever done was be in a Combnec Cadets Corps at school.

The awards these fraudulent claims seem always to be for educational qualifications, or awards for heroism that require exceptional effort by the persom who genuinely has the award., that they are too lazy/too stupid to get

theworriedwell

Magenta8

I think people who pretend to be Rear Admirals are fairly harmless in comparison with people who pretend to be medical doctors* or qualified nurses.

I believe some people pretend to have PhDs or DPhils but that again seems relatively harmless.

Of course, it is morally wrong to pretend to have qualifications you don't have or to be something you are not.

*eg Gillian McKeith

I'm not bothered if someone says they are a medical doctor unless they start treating/examining people. I'm not sure what harm he would cause saying he's a rear admiral, I don't suppose he was commanding a fleet of ships.

It's against the law.

He was carrying a sword too.

Allira

No, he didn't pretend to be a medical professional but he is still guilty.

However, there must be something wrong with someone to want to pretend to be someone important who has earned so many medals, standing alongside veterans who had earned their medals. He carried a huge sword, apparently, and his medals included a DSO, all bought online.

He may get a fine of £500.

Hmm, yes, the big sword.

Is he remorseful for the impersonation -

or being caught out?

I guess only those close to him really will know. Yes, it's interesting psychologically to choose to do this.

Of course it's right to fine him. It's not an entirely benign thing to do.