A FORMER soldier who wore badges and parts of uniform that did not belong to him at a Remembrance Day parade says he is ‘frightened to leave his home’ after being publicly criticised.

There was a backlash on social media after pictures appeared of Simon Robinson leading the Sandbach Remembrance Day parade on Sunday, November 8, wearing several medals that he wasn't awarded and parts of uniform that did not fit his role.

The Middlewich man, who has now resigned from Sandbach Royal British Legion Branch, served in the Army Air Corps in Canada, Kosovo and Bosnia.

However, he wore badges and uniform suggesting he was a senior non-commissioned officer as well as a member of the Special Forces, RAF, and SAS.

More than 6,000 likes, comments and shares gathered on a Facebook post by The Walter Mitty Hunter’s Club HQ page, as well as several people contacting Simon’s workplace calling for him to be sacked.

Simon has now apologised for what he describes as a ‘misguided lack of judgement’ and said his family’s safety has been put in jeopardy by ‘malicious campaigners.’

Simon said: “There is no question, in my mind, that there is now a completely out of control witch hunt being continually and vindictively directed against me and my family.

“I believe there is absolutely no justification for these people, particularly those on the Walter Mitty Hunters HQ Facebook site, maliciously creating such an outrageous campaign.

“They have not only put my livelihood at risk, they have also jeopardised the personal safety of myself, my wife and my four young children. In addition, there has been absolutely no consideration towards my father, who is currently trying to recover from a stroke.

 

“Are these people not going to be happy until the stress they are causing my whole family, results with the tragedy of my father having another stroke, which could well be fatal?

“I believe they should now take a long hard look at themselves together with their own behaviour.

“I am sure there are far worse things in the world to be concerned about other than my misguided lack of judgement, for which I have unreservedly apologised for.”

The Walter Mitty Hunter’s Club HQ, a group dedicated to exposing military frauds, started the public outcry by posting pictures of Simon at the parade.

A spokesperson from the group said: “He had served for five years and would have known the correct protocol on what he could and could not wear. He was insulting those he was supposed to be there to remember.”

Simon’s dad Glynn Robinson, said his son is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the military and is now afraid to leave his home.

“Simon is far too frightened to step out of his home and all this is because he wore bits of uniform which did not fit the role.

“I have been trying for years to get him to obtain help with his PTSD - it is a very debilitating illness.”