Stolen Valour

Moose JOKEILEHTO - UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021

Our investigation of Moose Andrew JOKEILEHTO commenced on 19 Feb 2019 and he was exposed a few months later.

When exposed on this website, Victoria Police became interested and laid criminal charges against Jokielehto

On 18 February 2021, two years after the commencement of our investigation, he appeared
before the Shepparton, Victoria, Magistrates Court, where he was found guilty and fined $2,500

The persona and stories Moose created of himself is a saga, that was developed over many years. Until our investigation, he fooled all of the people all of the time, with his pathological lies and skilled forgeries. Moose, the fake UK Major, met his Waterloo when an erudite man sent details of Moose's story to ANZMI. After liaison with UK and Australian witnesses, piece by piece, the lies in his biography were revealed.

Here is Moose getting ready for a dangerous Operation. Below that photograph is Moose ready for a "night" raid.

Whilst residing in Australia on the false premise, that he is a retired UK Army Major, with a secret service background, Moose had been deployed overseas by private contractors on Australian Government business. Prior to that, he had operated security firms around the world related to international shipping.

We believe that Moose Jokielehto, may have given false evidence to Australian Immigration for residency in Australian and we will be pursuing that issue.

Jokielehto was admitted to membership of an RSL after he provided false credentials. He had also been admitted to the Freemasons Lodge for a short while.

Residents and defence veterans of Shepparton, Victoria, and Veterans of Australia and New Zealand, should now treat Jokielehto with the disrespect he deserves. Many would be happy to see Jokielehto return to a very cold moor, in the UK country side, where he can dress up and pretend to be a super soldier, without ANZMI interference.

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INITIAL REPORT

Who is Major Moose Andrew Jokielehto? According to him, he is a UK Army Officer who works as an Intelligence Operative and claims involvement in the murky world of secret operations. Here is what he said to us:

"Served in the intelligence service under different identities which the UK authority's will never confirm or deny. My bona fides, work name and history are known to those close to me and involved in my work and employment. You asked my boss about China, indeed i did work there for a few years and learnt the language, i have operated and worked in the intelligence world and indeed with multiple Commando regiments and SF teams all over the globe and continue to do so today."

He claims to have earned six medals whilst serving as a UK Army Officer between 1997 and 2009. Here is what he wrote on an Application to join the RSL:

The medals he claims are:
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Multinational Force and Observers Medal (MFO)
Four medals for overseas service in:
Northern Ireland
Sierra Leone
Iraq/Afghanistan
Lebannon/MEO

Regarding the DSM. That medal was withdrawn from issue in 1993 and as Jokielehto claims to have served between 1997 and 2009 he could not have earned it

He has a South African Passport number 55080133368 dated 1 April 2009 under the name of Jokielehto. The Passport shows that he was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia in 1974. He also has UK Passport number 800782318.

He has a UK Army ID Card with his photograph and the name and regimental details of a different UK Army Major

The regimental number and name (now erased) shown on the ID Card can be found in the London Gazette, but do not refer to an officer named Jokielehto and the person named has been contacted.

Here is what the Major, whose name Jokielehto has been using said:

"I have passed all of this to the appropriate office in the MoD. (UK Ministry of Defence). This is an MoD and possibly Police matter now. As i understand it, it is a criminal offence in Australia to impersonate a military officer. That’s all I can really do for now. I’ll let you know if i hear anything, but i am sure the MoD will be in touch with you".

He has a UK Army Certificate of Service, that cannot be verified by the London Gazette.

According to the London Gazette there is no person with those regimental details or name listed as ever having served as an officer in the UK Army. The London Gazette is available for all to read and lists all occurrences, including awards, appointments and promotions, of all UK Military Officers. Using the details shown on his "Certificated of Service" no person with the name Jokielehto or the regimental number of 386136 is mentioned. In any case as Jokielehto states that he served under a different name, it does not make sense that he would have a Certificate of Service under the name of Jokielehto.

We have other documents showing his use of the name Jokielehto since 2011.

He has resided in Australia since 2012 - 13 under the name of Moose Andrew Jokielehto and has a bank account under that name.

Claims to have attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in 1997 then served in the British Army until 2009. He has made this claim in various areas including a LinkedIn account. Here is an example of this claim

Have been advised by RMAS that he has never attended or graduated from that establishment.

"Dear Mr XXXXX,

Thank you for your e-mail.

We have no record of anyone named Jokielehto having passed through Sandhurst.

I hope this has been of some help.

Yours sincerely

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DPS/ARM | Curator, Sandhurst Collection |

Claims to have been a forward intelligence operative working in small teams in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and in Africa, China and Russia, North Korea. Claims to have worked in intelligence in Whitehall London, and with Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) and 3rd Military Intelligence Regiment (3MIR).

Here are responses received from various Army Associations and Alumni from the UK.

"We have been in contact with the Intelligence Corps who can find no record of him".

"My initial inquires with the SAS Alumni on LinkedIn has the UK SRR alumni coming back saying they have never heard of either name and don’t have records of either person being involved with the unit. I’m still following up with the UK HQSF and other alumni’s in the UK."

'I have checked our trained database and there are no records for Moose Andrew Jokielehto".

Since 2009, when he claims to have departed the UK Army, he is known to have owned a private security company named Twenty Committee Risk Management, which was based in Helsinki, Finland. He moved the company to Malta and during that time is known to have worked in Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He departed that Company in 2012 - 13 with accusations of fraudulent dealings.

He moved to Australia in 2012 - 13 where he currently resides in Shepparton, Victoria. He is a member of the Shepparton RSL, has marched on ANZAC Day and extols to his "Aussie" mates his murky "secret" work throughout the world.

He claims to have a UK Army reserve liability until 2029 and says he is returning to the UK next year as a UK Army Major to attend UK Army Staff College, which is an establishment that prepares UK Officers for higher rank.

Jokielehto was been contacted and asked to prove his bona fides as a retired British Army Major. He immediately became defensive and advised the following

"I told you from day one you would not get any where looking for a man called "Moose" for obvious reasons".

" other close ex service friends and loved ones know my work name, history and can vet and have done in under 5 minutes with the London Gazette and via proper channels.".

"I work and have worked in some of the most volatile and dangerous regions on the planet against some very nasty people over the years so forgive me for not wanting to spill my guts and life story to a complete stranger"

"For me, no matter, I'll simply change my handle from Moose to Badger, you can then waste your time and resources looking for him".

Although he purports his life to be that of a James Bond, he has no problem disclosing his secret service to those who will listen. He goes on drinking binges and acts badly, and, of course, blames Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for his bad behaviour.

He carries a Gerber Bear Grylls hidden stiletto blade on his belt, which he enjoys showing, along with his supposed training in hand to hand combat. He loves telling people how to knife an opponent. He is also an avid shooter and has a bolt action rifle at his house in Shepparton.

Jokielehto, to enhance his military background and Rhodesian lineage as shown in his Passport, makes the following claim about his father:

We have an information source from the Rhodesian Army Association (RAA) and in particular the Selous Scouts. Here are responses from Rhodesian Army Association and Military Trust. See here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selous_Scouts

"Ok my contact who has the full Rhodesian Army nominal roll, says that no one of that name ever served in the Rhodesian Army. The original Selous Scouts Armed Car unit was disbanded in 1963 at the break-up of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland federation. It was a Squadron in strength so it would never have had a Brigadier in charge. And the passport in question puts this fellow at 45 years old now, so his father would now be about 70-80. Even at 80 he would have been about 40 years old when Rhodesia became Zimbabwe – me-thinks a little young for a Brigadier in Selous Scouts. And if he was a Brigadier in the original Armed Car Selous Scouts he would have been 24 years old when the Squadron was disbanded. Say no more!"

"I served in the Rhodesian Army from January ’66 to April ’80, covering the full UDI period and I have never heard of any Officer, especially a Brigadier by the name of JOKIELEHTO"

We believe this man's name is Moose Andrew Jokielehto, who was born in Rhodesia and migrated to the UK in 1981, moved to Helsinki Finland, then to Malta and now resides in Australia, but everything about his UK Army service is false.

He did not attend RMAS in 1997.
He was never a Major in the UK Army.
Was never awarded the UK Distinguished Service Medal or the five other medals he claims.
Was never an Intelligence Officer in the UK Army.
Has never served in the UK SRR, 3MIR, SAS or Commandos.
Has never served with the UK Army in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and in Africa, China and Russia, North Korea.
Has never served as an Intelligence Officer in Whitehall London.
His father was never a Brigadier in the Rhodesian Army.
He has a false UK Army ID Card, and a false UK Army Certificate of Service.

If his real name is not Moose Andrew Jokielehto then he is in Australia under a false name, has a false passport, and operates a bank account under that false name. We are certain that one way or another Australian authorities will be interested in him.

If his name is really Moose Andrew Jokielehto then many people, and especially veterans in the UK and Australia will be very interested in him, in relation to his false claims of military service

Since we have commenced this investigation we have become aware of numerous people who are aggrieved and hurt at being duped by Jokielehto. Jokielehto is a con man of considerable skill. Wherever he goes he sows seeds of having a secret service life.

In Shepparton he went one bridge to far and was reported to us. We hope those of similar organizations to ours in the UK will read this and provide further information about this ultimate wannabe.

Ian Michael Garland, born 1960 in Melbourne Australia, is a classic wannabee who represents everything that genuine veterans detest about military imposters.

This bloke is a clown first class, and an obnoxious idiot. He is also a conman.

His claims of military service in Australia, the U.S.A and Asia are farcical and ludicrous.

He is a total embarrassment to the Australian Army uniform he wears as he parades around his now home State of Texas, obviously receiving accolades from the public, discounted meals and preferential treatrment at US Airports, due to his pretend military service.

The above recent photograph is our super fit Australian and now U.S. Military hero. He wears the Australian Army cams (Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform. DPCU) which have been phased out for regular Army personnel. On his uniform right side he wears -;

The fifth pattern Australian Army Rising Sun cloth badge – Not entitled.
a coloured Australian flag – (Should not be worn on camouflaged uniform)
a metal parachute wings badge above his name Garland. Not entitled.

On his left side he wears -;

a metal Australian Army Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) Not entitled.
a cloth Australian Army Parachute wings patch. Not entitled.
On the slouch hat he wears a Royal Victoria Regiment metal hat badge.

In the above selfie photograph, our Aussie Warrior has now been captured wearing the following -;
United States Army cams with -;

An Australian Army Rising Sun patch -;
What appears to be a U.S. Flag.
He wears the Australian parachute wings above his name Garland.

On his other breast, he wears the Australian Army Infantry Combat Badge above a Royal Lao Insignia.

His sleeve depicts an unknown A NKA cloth badge above an Airborne cloth parachute patch. (Country unknown)

The below photograph from Garland’s Face Book page confirms what he has told others that he holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, United States Army.

The true story of former Private Ian Michael Garland, part time soldier with the part time Citizens Military Forces (CMF) is far different from his current claims.

ANZMI has no hesitation in exposing this imposter for what he is. A great deal of research has been conducted that refutes nearly every claim he has made.

Recruit Garland enlisted in the part time CMF in 1979 in the Royal Victoria Regiment. His tenure was unremarkable and he only served for a short time before he discharged. He did not serve overseas on war like service and he is not entitled to wear the Australian Infantry Combat Badge. (ICB)

Also, he did not spend enough time in the CMF to be even awarded the Australian Defence Medal. (ADM) In fact, he has never been awarded any Australian Defence Force Medals for his part time limited service.

Inquiries have been made in regards to his claims of completing the Basic Parachute Course (BPC) in the Australian Army. He has never completed this course and when asked by a genuine veteran what BPC he completed, Garland had no idea what he was talking about. He may have visited the 2nd Commando Unit in Victoria, but he never qualified as a member of this Unit, nor did he ever qualify for the parachute wings. The below photograph is an extract from his Facebook Page.

Garland currently resides in Midland, Texas, USA. From inquiries made he has told all who will listen, that he is an Australian Veteran who saw military service in Vietnam and Cambodia, however, being top secret, the service had to be sanctioned by the Australian Government, as he went undercover as a Russian. He has made these claims to others on his Facebook page. His claims are rubbish. He states that his Commanding Officer gave him the ICB for his service in Asia.

Garland is a convicted criminal and was sentenced to five years imprisonment for selling guns illegally in the USA in 2012. He was released after three years. Below is his mugshot and a link to his nefarious behaviour.

www.ice.gov/news/releases/new-mexico-fir...-weapons-trafficking 

Garland currently hands out Australian Army Parachute wings to others for civilian parachute jumps. We are not sure how much money he earns by pretending to be a Parachute Instructor, a Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, or whatever else he wants to call himself.

What we do know is that Garland spent an insignificant time in the CMF as a Private soldier. He is not a qualified Australian Army Parachute Instructor and has no right or qualifications to be handing out Australian Army Basic Parachute Course wings to anybody.

We know that he has no entitlement to wear the Australian Infantry Combat Badge. He had no War Like Service. He hardly had any service.

We know that he is not a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army but a convicted criminal who served at least three years jail for the illegal sale of 200 guns in 2012.

Parachutist insignia are not worn on DPCU, AMCU, sweater khaki lightweight, Garrison jacket, Coat khaki fleece/Combat jacket interim cold weather, raincoat or any order of Protective Dress (Ref: Army Dress Manual). Also, Parachute badges on DPCU background are not official Australian Army issue.

Garland was contacted by a Researcher and offered an opportunity to produce evidence to support his false military service claims.

Below is his response -;
(It has not been edited and all the spelling and grammar errors remain as received. Warning. - Offensive language is used.)

Sorry for the late response, I finally was able to pick myself up from the floor after laughing so much at your e mails
Who the fuck do you think you are, God I hope I meet you and these other fools.

Your first e mail states that I have been going around saying I am a vietnam vet and 2 command, but you don't mention any names, times, Gotta say you people are so full of shit, I have never said that, you make these claims and expect me to respond?

Then now, you say I was a priavte at 2 commando company in Williams town? so you either know or not, which is it?

Obviousley you clowns don't know what the word attached means, look it up in a book called (Dictionary)

One clown states that I am a chief warrant officer????.

When I was enliseted there was no such rank as far as I remember in the Australian Army, , I am a chief Warrant Officer in the Army here,Get your facts staraight.

When I was enlised, the stand over imtimidation garbage never worked and sure don't work now and you threat for me to respond or you are going to put my photo or something on some bullshit site for the world to see LOL, makes me laugh so much, You clowns must have so much time on your hands, its amazing, wish I had this much time on my hands.

One clown writes all the things wrong with my uniform, How hard do you think it is to get my size? I know I have the older uniform you idiots, When I was enlisted, the first camo trials were four pocket blouse, like the old green US Vietnam blouse, in the last 40 years you think the uniform has changed, maybe???

I do wear my awards the way I wear them on my US Uniform and no one will tell me other wise, I will wear them the way I want and that fat slob (Name removed by ANZMI) and Pretty boy Fagot (Name removed by ANZMI) with is pretty little Beret and pretty Homo pins and Boy pictures on his face book can go fuck themselves, Don't hide like cowards behind the PC drinking your Fosters and smoking your preciouse ciggarette, go beat up the wife, or in your cases the Homo boy friend.

Be a man, jump on a plane and come over and lets have a face to face cowards, Walmart Parking lot, Midland Drive,Midland,Texas,79705 any time! We carry here, something you clowns are not allowed to do and we can use deadly force when threatened and attack, some come on you yellow belly cowards hiding behind your computor, I'm waiting.
Why do I have to explain, when,How, Were, I received my awards, you fools have already made up your minds, though, if you want my documentation, service number, sure, $15,000.

My First award was near 40 years ago, LOL 40 years and now its an issue, what I did in Vietnam and Cambodia was sanctioned, and none of your business.

So go ahead post what you want, I just returned from FT Bragg,NC, had a blast and awarded 11 Australian Army Wings and now Going to FT Benning GA, in January, Major (name removed by ANZMI) CO Airborne ops near wet his pants when he read your e mail, I neaver heard someone laugh so much.

Oh, I have done 35 military T-10 jumps in Australia, and several Hundred square jumps, and awared 3rd place in the Australian Army, even a photo in the Australian Army News paper, good luck finding the name LOL. Why do you think I am here in the USA? getting close, warmmer?? Hot? Nope just cold.

My Firends here all called me laughing at the Stupid Australians, who e mailed them about me, we all had a good laugh, Guess that backfired huh!

You have no Authroity over me, even if your some bullshit government agaency, I could not care less, I will continue to wear my uniform when presenting the Royal Australian Army Jump wings and wearing my uniform through the Airports here. And you pityifull threat of putting my my picture on the WEB, knock yorself out and I will then start posting my certificates and we will see who looks stupid in the end, so please, post it today.

I have blocked all e mails from Australia, don't bother trying to contact me, but post this letter by all means and post when you cowards are coming over for a face to face.

Garland lived in Weeribee, Victoria, Australia in the 1980s. He had a business named U.S Garb n Gear. He was selling U.S Military uniforms and collectables, before he emigrated to the United States, where he became a U.S Citizen. Looking at his uniform, he is apparently still a collector of U.S. Military collectables.

Garland is a False Pretender, a Military Fraud, a Convicted Criminal and an overall obnoxious wannabee.

Our Stolen Valour friends in the USA have been notified as well as the local authorities.

This clown will remain on the ANZMI site for some time to come, and no, we will not be going to Walmart Parking Lot, Midland, Texas.

James Davis is a colourful ex serviceman, who boasts of operating a sex cult, (actually it is a Brothel) in the New South Wales country town of Armidale. . He served as an Infantry Private and Lance Corporal in the Australian Regular Army and the Army Reserve. He has exaggerated his Army service on social media.

James served in the war in Iraq, during operation Catalyst, and for that service he has the status of a returned veteran, with the appropriate medals. However, he has added some fallacious (no pun intended) war jaunts of Bosnia, Timor and Afghanistan, to falsely enhance his service history.

He has provided "proof" of his Bosnia service on social media. He asserts to have served in the war in Bosnia aged nineteen years. He posted under the name of: 

He claims "The balkans will always be my other home. It gave me my firs war, my first wife, and twin daughters."

Very few Australian Defence personnel were involved, in the Bosnia war. James Davis was not there, as a nineteen year old Private soldier, (as he claims). The Bosnia war occurred in 1992 to 1995, and having been born in 1981 Davis would have been twelve to fourteen years old during the war.

Whilst his Brothel career is spellbinding, his military career could not be described as "stella". During his Army service between 1998 and 2010 , his only overseas deployment was to Iraq. In addition he was subjected to a court martial, whilst serving with Delta Company 4/3 Royal New South Wales Regiment, holding the rank of LCPL. He was found guilty of assault, and then lost an appeal.

We welcome James Davis aka as "Big dick Jimmy" aboard.

David Gibson served with the Australian Army Infantry Corps during the time when there were very few overseas deployments, so he has spiced up his service history to show a bit of action with Special Air Service (SASR).

Unfortunately we have no photograph of Gibson, and if anyone can help, it will be appreciated by Australian and New Zealand veterans.

Having retired from the Australian Army after twenty seven years service, Gibson is now a radio enthusiast, and made the mistake of grossly exaggerating his Army service to members of an on line radio social group. Here are some excerpts of what he has said.

 

 

David Gibson had no need to exaggerate his service, as he provided twenty seven years of his life to Army service in Australia. His few minutes of false fame extolled to people who trusted him, has caused Gibson considerable damage, and embarrassment.

Gibson will serve with ANZMI as our radio operator.

Nicola Calcagnini, born 19 August 1953, is an enigma. He is a practicing Psychologist who blames his bizarre emotional behaviour on his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that was caused by his fifteen years of Special Forces operational service.

Here is Calcagnini "dressed up" on a commemorative day, to remember his good mate Josh.

 

 

 

Calcagnini fervently claims to have served for fifteen years, as a Commissioned Officer in the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). In fact, he has never served in the Australian Defence Force.  On ANZAC day 2020 Calcagnini, shed copious, PTSD induced tears of anguish relating to his "Afghanistan service"   

He has posted various photographs of "himself", and "his fellow combatants" in action: See below:

Here is what he has said about his devastatingly emotional Defence Service.

"He served in the Australian Army for 15 years, then after he was discharged (at the rank of Major) he continued to serve in the NATO Reserve forces.

He completed Officer training at Royal Military College Duntroon (RMC) and went straight to SASR training, where he completed six months of training. Due to his outstanding marksmanship skills he was selected to be an SASR Sniper.

Once he completed SASR training he was deployed immediately to the middle east.

He was on the top of a building watching a target, when he was attacked by two men. There was a long battle involving many punches to the head. He reached back and grabbed his knife, which was kept between his shoulder blades for easy access. He drove the knife into the enemy’s throat and described the sound the blade made, as it severed the spine, as he watched the life leave the man’s eyes.

He and his Australian SASR brother, Josh, were captured and tortured by the Taliban. They were put into the back of a vehicle and there was a severed head of a soldier sitting on a chair. The eyes of the dead soldier were open and he had the bluest eyes.

He explained how hardened the Taliban soldiers were and they stripped him and Josh, and put something under his foreskin that transmitted an electric shock.

The Americans accidentally stumbled across them and rescued them

While traveling through Basra, he and his SASR mates were ambushed and hit by a Rocket propelled grenade (RPG).

He believes that the RPG was meant for him, but because Josh was leaning across to grab his cigarettes Josh took the hit. Calcagnini sustained injuries to his abdomen, arm, his jaw was broken , and his head was partially scalped, due to the helmet rotating on his head. Josh died in his arms.

He can’t stand the smell of cooking bacon, because it reminds him of the smell of burning flesh, and he always preferred cold showers as hot showers reminded him, of the feeling of warm blood running over his body. To this day he still has shrapnel lodged in his spine that is unable to be removed..

He killed 260 targets in his role as an Australian SASR Sniper.

He suffers chronic PTSD, and horrific nightmares almost every night.. He said he often dreams of Josh being killed, and being in the desert.

On returning to Australia, they were unloading coffins at the airport, containing fallen soldiers when they were met by protestors.

He now does Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) work as a Psychologist/Psychiatrist.

Each year on the anniversary of Josh’s death he goes to the bush to undergo a ceremony in Josh's honour."

In addition.

He said, "the picture below, is of him and three of his SASR brothers. Josh (who was killed in an ambush). Frank (committed suicide earlier this year), and Kevin, (who does black ops missions in the middle east)"

Calcagini claims this to be him in action jumping through a hole in a wall, with his "mate" Josh who was killed soon after at Bas'ra.

In the extract below he makes heartrending, PTSD invoking, comments that are so false they would only be uttered by a Psychologist who needs the services of a Psychiatrist.

All of the "action" photographs above, have been stolen from other websites and used by Calcagnini to "prove" his Australian Army Service. None of his claims are true, which makes him a dishonest person who has created a false persona as a hardened SASR Commissioned Officer.

Veterans in need, in Central Queensland, beware of this practicing Psychologist.

Some years back, we exposed another practicing Psychologist, his name is Newlyn. See here: anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/valour-thieves/127-newlyn

UPDATE TOBY BATEMAN MAY 21

We are still without a photograph of Toby Bateman.

In a strange move, Bateman has published a fake photograph of "himself", together with some motor cycles he shows on his Facebook page. See below:

The person, who Bateman claimed was him, is a business executive from the United Kingdom and has been blanked out.

The Facebook where Bateman published the photograph, contains photographs of motorcycles and motifs, that Bateman has declared as his own. Some of the motifs have been shown on the corner of posts he published whilst make his false USA military service claims.

Perhaps Bateman thought to provide a false photograph of himself, together with motorcycles (that he is known to own), would further hide his true identity.

If you know the true Toby Bateman, who is associated with the above motorbike photographs, be assured, that he is a liar and wannabe, and genuine veterans of Australia and New Zealand would very much appreciate a genuine photograph to publish to the world.

***** 

We know this man resides in the Shoalhaven/Nowra region of New South Wales, however despite many hours of research we have been unable to track him down.

We ask our readers, particularly those from Shoalhaven/Nowra, if they are able to identify a man named, Toby Bateman. Bateman is a particularly skilled deceiver. however, like all liars, he makes mistakes in the detail.

All of his offending has been on social media.

Toby Bateman has ridiculed and threatened, those who question his Vietnam Service. He threatened two people, who questioned his service, on social media:

Over many years we have learned that wannabes first defence, is to threaten those who expose them. Genuine veteran may get a bit "stroppy" but are always proud to provide their bona fides. It is so easy to simply provide evidence of service.

Bateman claims to have transferred from Royal Australian Navy Reserve, to full time service with the United States Navy, in 1972. He has said a lot about his "service", and is knowledgeable, but makes many mistakes in the detail. Here is his "service" as advertised on social media:

Claims to have served at Fort Bragg in USA, but wrongly spells "Bragg" with only one "g". It is correctly spelled Fort Bragg. Named after General Braxton Bragg.

He is also a Motor Bike enthusiast. and wrote the following about a motor bike track.

Notice the motif in the top left corner, is the same as those relating to his US Navy service. Anyone who knows the identity of this person should please contact us

What do we know about Bateman?:

He was born in Sydney in 1953, making him now 67 years of age.
Now resides in Nowra/Shoalhaven area of NSW.
He is a motorbike enthusiast, associated with "Triumph" motorbikes. He is Regional Representative for a Triumph Motor bike club as shown below.

He claims to be both ex Australian Navy Reservist and a USA Navy, Vietnam veteran.
Claims to have served in Da Nang Vietnam in 1975. Spells Da Nang as "Dar Nang"
Here is the official history of US Navy presence in Da Nang Vietnam. All departed by 1973.

Camp Tien Sha, a.k.a. Naval Support Activity Da Nang was established in 1964 and disestablished in April 1972. On 29 March 1973 the last American units left Da Nang. On 25 Aug 14973, the USA Congress passed the "Case Church Amendment" which forbade any further USA Military involvement in Vietnam.

Claims to have Joined RAN (R) in 1972 aged 19 years. National Australian Archives have no record of him ever serving.

He claims he was presented with the USA medals shown below for his Vietnam and USA Navy service.

First row:
Claims these USA medals for his Vietnam service, they are out of precedence order.

Bronze Star Medal.
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Vietnam Service Medal.
National Defence Service Medal.

Second row
Bronze Star Ribbon.
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon (can't be positive of the colour).
Vietnam Service Medal.
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

The third row.
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

The fourth row.
National Defense Service Medal.
Combat Action Ribbon (it is upside down).
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.

Claims his USN Vietnam service was acknowledged by Australian Honours and Awards and was awarded an Australian Active service Medal (AASM) and an Australian Service Medal (ASM). This did not occur.

Has photographs from a helicopter of his service in Vietnam in 1975. Photograph was proven to have been taken by, and belonging to, a person from Kansas USA who knows nothing of Bateman being in that helicopter, and advises that the photograph was not taken in 1975

Claims there were still Australian troops in Vietnam in 1975. See details in above insert.

Claims Australian troops departed Vietnam by chartered QANTAS flight on 25 April 1975. In fact the last QANTAS charter to carry Australian troops, was in 1972. QANTAS had "Baby rescue flights from Saigon in 1975, but no Troops were aboard

Claims his US Navy unit was USN 5 Platoon Air Mobile Combat Ordnance disposal, which is incorrect. For example US Navy, uses the term "EOD Mobile Unit Eleven" . EOD Stands for "Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

Like the "Scarlet Pimpernel" Toby Bateman is hard to pin down, however, we now hope that with your help, we may be able to receive a photograph of him, and also ask him directectly about his US Navy service in Vietnam.

It would be a great pleasure to receive from him definitive proof of his service.

Initially, Bateman was communicating with returned veterans on a social media website, and those returned veterans, like us, know full well that Bateman is a liar and a wannabe.

At the moment, Bateman is in the ANZMI remand section, and when information is received, we look forward to promoting him to full time service with ANZMI.