John A Silkstone
08-05-08, 07:09
This is taken from the Sun, a national news paper in the UK.
Silky
A HOAXER shamelessly posed as an SAS hero and ex-Para to take part in military parades.
John Pierce faked Army memorabilia and a forces past to convince real veterans he’d seen active service.
He wore uniforms and medals awarded for bravery at Remembrance Day parades – and laid wreaths for “fallen comrades”. But he was branded as “disrespectful” and a “Walter Mitty” yesterday after it was revealed he had NO military experience.
Pony-tailed dreamer Pierce, 51, won the confidence of ex-military men in Helston, Cornwall. He showed them “his” SAS badges, medals and a framed picture of himself in uniform. He claimed to be a pal of SAS legend and Sun security adviser Andy McNab.
Pierce was allowed to lay a wreath for fallen soldiers at an Armistice Day parade in Porthleven, Cornwall. He appeared as an ex-British paratrooper and former member of the Rhodesian SAS at other events.
One ex-Army signalman said: “He claimed he’d been in the Falklands with the SAS and was best mates with Andy McNab, “But I knew something was wrong when I saw how rubbish he was at marching. He’s a con-man. His lies are disgusting.”
Mike Collins, national secretary of the Parachute Regimental Association, said: “He’s caused offence to ex-members and the friends and family of those killed or injured in action, “He’s been disrespectful to our officers and soldiers.”
A spokesman for the now disbanded Rhodesian SAS added: “He’s just another Walter Mitty character.”
When The Sun challenged Pierce, he claimed he had a TWIN brother who posed as a sham soldier. But he later admitted: “I’ve been a fool – no malice was meant.”
Silky
A HOAXER shamelessly posed as an SAS hero and ex-Para to take part in military parades.
John Pierce faked Army memorabilia and a forces past to convince real veterans he’d seen active service.
He wore uniforms and medals awarded for bravery at Remembrance Day parades – and laid wreaths for “fallen comrades”. But he was branded as “disrespectful” and a “Walter Mitty” yesterday after it was revealed he had NO military experience.
Pony-tailed dreamer Pierce, 51, won the confidence of ex-military men in Helston, Cornwall. He showed them “his” SAS badges, medals and a framed picture of himself in uniform. He claimed to be a pal of SAS legend and Sun security adviser Andy McNab.
Pierce was allowed to lay a wreath for fallen soldiers at an Armistice Day parade in Porthleven, Cornwall. He appeared as an ex-British paratrooper and former member of the Rhodesian SAS at other events.
One ex-Army signalman said: “He claimed he’d been in the Falklands with the SAS and was best mates with Andy McNab, “But I knew something was wrong when I saw how rubbish he was at marching. He’s a con-man. His lies are disgusting.”
Mike Collins, national secretary of the Parachute Regimental Association, said: “He’s caused offence to ex-members and the friends and family of those killed or injured in action, “He’s been disrespectful to our officers and soldiers.”
A spokesman for the now disbanded Rhodesian SAS added: “He’s just another Walter Mitty character.”
When The Sun challenged Pierce, he claimed he had a TWIN brother who posed as a sham soldier. But he later admitted: “I’ve been a fool – no malice was meant.”