Stolen Valour

Kenneth Edward ENGLISH Update January 2019.


Kenneth English, the discredited former Cronulla RSL Memorial Club Vice President and Cronulla RSL Sub Branch Vice President, who lied for about 20 years regarding his alleged Royal Australian Navy Vietnam War active service, on HMAS Sydney, in 1967 and 1968, has recently been appointed as the Worshipful Master of the Cronulla Freemasonry Lodge, Sydney, New South Wales. A prestigious and honourable position.

The office of Worshipful Master is the highest honor to which a lodge may appoint any of its members.
The honorific "Worshipful" does not suggest that the Master is worshiped, but is used in its original meaning, "worthy of respect"
(Accepted universal principles of regular Freemasonry)

English was recently removed from the ANZMI Home Page Rogues Gallery due to time served. He has just been reinstated.

English is a military fraud and a valour thief. He has no credibility and should be ashamed of himself for his deceit over a very long period of time. The benefits he gained over many years, due to his fraudulent behaviour were immoral. The lies he told to so many about his Vietnam service to gain positions of trust, are also immoral.

Genuine Vietnam War veterans throughout Australia will be appalled at his latest appointment – Worshipful Master.

English was officially cited and ordered in no uncertain terms by RSL NSW State Branch, that he is to never hold any position on any committee within the RSL movement ever again, due to his deceit. He resigned his executive Vice President positions on both Cronulla RSL Club committees due to that order and member dissatisfaction.

He is fortunate that he was not charged by State or Federal Police under the provisions of the Defence Act 1903 - Section 80A - Falsely representing to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman.

Yet he still craves for executive office in a different establishment.

ANZMI contacted Freemasons NSW at the highest level and expressed concerns about the appointment of English as the Cronulla Freemasons Lodge Worshipful Master.

The ANZMI representations have obviously fallen on deaf ears and no response has been received, or is expected..

Apparently his disgraceful behaviour is acceptable to the Freemasonry hierarchy in the State of New South Wales, but not to some ordinary members, who reported his elevation as Worshipful Master to ANZMI.

The Grand Master, Freemasonry, NSW and ACT, Most Worshipful Brother Derek Robson AM, is a well respected former Commissioned Officer in the Royal Australian Navy with genuine Vietnam War active service on, coincidentally, HMAS Sydney in 1968. If he was serious about his current role, MW Bro. Derek Robson AM, would be taking action regarding the appointment of English to his latest position. We wonder who approved it?

The following are the core values of Freemasonry Australia, and the entire planet for that matter -;

Freemasonry is a large fraternal organisation that promotes moral and personal development amongst its members.
Its core values include caring for others, helping those in need and acting with honesty and integrity.

English lacks the core values of honesty and integrity. He has failed the test. He should be ordered to stand down as Worshipful Master, Cronulla Freemasonry Lodge immediately.

Freemasonry NSW, have made it quite clear that the core values they promote are moral development, honesty and integrity within their ranks. It now follows, that if you do not personally conform with those principles as a member, or a Worshipful Master, it does not really matter.

They are, only just words, are they not?

ANZMI will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as necessary.   

Kenneth Edward ENGLISH Update 19 Dec 16

English has now departed from the Sub Branch committee and the RSL Memorial Club Board of Directors.

In 2016, English was directed by NSW RSL State Branch to resign all positions he held at the Sub Branch, and to never stand again within the RSL movement in any capacity. He subsequently resigned as Junior Vice President.

As a consequence of this decision, members of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club, where English held the position of Senior Vice President, then put the Executive Directors on notice that they wished to hold an Extraordinary General meeting for English to explain his lies about his claimed Vietnam service to members.

When English was notified of this discontent, he resigned the position forthwith.

He is still an ordinary member of the RSL Memorial Club and Sub Branch.

Warren Thomas, close friend of English, and the President of the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch, tried to cover this matter up for a number of years. Thomas was reprimanded by NSW RSL State Branch, for the attempted cover up and inaction. Thomas continues in that role for the present time.

Both Thomas and English should hang their heads in shame for allowing this matter to continue for so long without notifying NSW RSL State Branch, the membership of the Sub Branch or the Memorial Club.

KENNETH EDWARD ENGLISH UPDATE.  17 June, 2016.

We exposed Kenneth Edward English, Senior Vice President, Cronulla RSL Memorial Club and Junior Vice President, Cronulla RSL Sub Branch, as a Vietnam Veteran imposter to the world in 2014. Over many years he persisted with his deceitful, immoral and illegal behaviour. On six known occasions, he claimed that he was a Vietnam veteran who had returned from active service in January, 1968.

In fact, he had not one day of active service, in Vietnam or anywhere else.

His abhorrent and disgraceful behaviour was overlooked and covered up by his close friend Warren Thomas, the current President of the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch. Thomas is also a Director of Cronulla RSL Memorial Club Ltd.

English was duly reported to the senior executive of the New South Wales Returned and Services League of Australia, State Branch, Sydney as an imposter by the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia. (VVFA) and others.

English finally resigned his membership of the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia, Granville in 2015, due to their concerns regarding his fraudulent claims, and our last exposure where we provided conclusive evidence that he was, and is, a Vietnam veteran fraud who had joined that organisation by telling lies about his Royal Australian Navy Vietnam service. He also removed the three VVFA medal riband decal stickers that he had purchased and placed on his motor vehicle.

Following the report to the RSL NSW State Branch, an investigation concluded that English had falsely claimed Vietnam operational service in the Royal Australian Navy.

This was in contravention of the Defence Act 1903 Section 80A. (Falsely representing himself to be a returned sailor, soldier or airman)

As a consequence, English was summoned to RSL NSW State Branch, Sydney, on the 22 February, 2016. He was then directed by the State Branch Executive to, resign his Junior Vice President position of Cronulla RSL Sub Branch, and any other Sub Branch positions immediately, in lieu of such determination being enforced by State RSL. 

This was on the basis that his false claims will bring further discredit upon the League and Cronulla RSL Sub Branch. He has been further instructed that "this is to be a permanent termination and he is to never again stand for any position within the RSL organisation".

His President and friend Warren Thomas, who attempted to cover this matter up for years has also received official notification of this direction.

Thomas, photo above, was officially reprimanded by RSL NSW State Branch for his part in the cover up, as was one other Committeeman. However, Thomas continues as President of the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch and Director of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club Ltd.

Thomas has no credibility and should also resign his positions for knowing that whilst English was holding an executive position on the Sub Branch committee, and Senior Vice President of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club Ltd., he was a Vietnam veteran imposter. Thomas did nothing about it. He then supported English and protected him for years after English was originally exposed as a fraud and a liar.

Like most imposters and their supporters, Thomas has threatened to sue ANZMI for our factual disclosures.

Sometimes the truth is difficult to accept.

Following his resignation from the VVFA Granville, English finally resigned from all positions on the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch committee on the 15 March, 2016 in accordance with the RSL NSW State Branch direction.

He still remains an ordinary RSL Sub Branch member, and incredibly Vice President of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club, a different entity,for the moment.

As the current Memorial Club Vice President, he still receives a generous yearly cash honorarium , free trips away, free meals, free drinks and other benefits. Benefits that ordinary members do not receive.

English was elected to the Memorial Club Board on the false premise that he was a "former Royal Australian Navy (RAN) rating, with active and emergency service". This false information was included in his resume for election to the Memorial Club Board. We have a copy. Just more lies.

The Cronulla RSL Memorial Club President and committee members should demand the resignation of English from their Board immediately, to save further embarrassment by bringing the Memorial Club into disrepute as well.

He is still the Secretary of the The Sutherland Shire Naval Association, Sydney. That body should also demand his resignation for his lies.

The new executive of RSL NSW State Branch have made an emphatic statement to those who desire to join that organisation and seek executive Sub Branch office by claiming false military service. If you falsify your service, you will be caught out, disciplined and/or expelled.

Mr Rod White, President of the RSL NSW State Branch and Mr Glenn Kolomeitz, CEO, RSL NSW State Branch have made it abundantly clear in their mission statement that core values of integrity and honour will be strictly adhered to.

These values will hopefully encourage younger veterans from Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, the fourth wave of veterans, to join their local RSL Sub Branches and participate in continuing the proud traditions of the RSL organisation.

It is their future and their families future as well.

We will gladly support Mr Rod White and Mr Glenn Kolomeitz in continuing with these ideals by weeding out imposters and their supporters at executive level or otherwise, who are detected within the League or other ex service organisations.

ENGLISH UPDATE - 17 Apr 15

Since our recent disclosure of imposter Kenneth Edward English, the Cronulla (Sydney) RSL Club Sub Branch Junior Vice President and RSL Memorial Club Senior Vice President, he surprisingly continues to hold both of these senior executive positions, even though he has been proven to be a Vietnam Veteran fraud.

We have received notification that members of the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia are amazed that English still retains both executive positions after records disclosed that he is an imposter. He has not contacted the VVFA and apologised for his lies or resigned his Vietnam veteran membership.

English not only lied about his Vietnam active service to the then Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia, but also on his Cronulla RSL Sub Branch resume, to a local St George Leader newspaper Reporter, several other places including RSL Sub Branch members, but we have since been sent his original resume for the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club by concerned RSL Memorial Club members, where he holds the executive position of Senior Vice President and obtains substantial monetary benefits.

In this document, where RSL Memorial Club members are informed of the committee person's credentials, and vote accordingly, English again claims that he had "12 years RAN (Royal Australian Navy) with, "Active (service) and emergency reserve (service) capacities."

We remind the reader that English had no active service whatsoever.

Not one day.

He has deceitfully claimed active (operational) service again to enhance his standing within the membership and community to gain positions on both committees and attract votes to acquire generous benefits. His deceit has happened on at least six occasions that we know of, and have been mentioned above.

English is cunning.

Now that he is entrenched in his positions for another three years, he has altered his false Cronulla RSL Memorial Club resume and deleted the words "active and emergency reserve (service)capacities",following suspicions from RSL Memorial Club members and committee members. He has also altered his Cronulla RSL Sub Branch resume where he told blatant lies about his "active service in the Far East and New Guinea" whilst he was in the Australian Navy.

Frauds like English use every means to get themselves voted on RSL Club committees, but quickly remove any tell tale signs of deception once they are elected and established in their positions, where they then seek further advancement to an executive role and increased benefits.

Like English, they even stand for President.

When caught out, they just shrug their shoulders and hope life goes on just as before because of the support they gain along the way.

We have also been notified that English has continued to lie about his RAN Vietnam service since he was originally discovered as a fraud in 2011.

Following our original disclosure in 2014, he was subsequently reported to the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch President in writing by a highly respected local resident, that he falsely claimed to him that he went to Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney. This was three years after he had been originally reported for telling Sub Branch members lies about his false Vietnam service and bringing his RSL Sub Branch into disrepute.

We have received further reports from Memorial Club members of how he told them that he was a crew member of HMAS Sydney when it went to Vietnam, however he was "put off at Brisbane due to illness".

English is an incorrigible liar and has been for years. Medical experts may classify his condition as "mythomania or pseudoligia fantastica", a psychiatric condition where the person loses personal judgement and distorts reality. He considers himself a tall poppy.

Others might say he is just an imposter and a glory hunter chasing further recognition.

Members of all Ex Service Organisations (ESO's) expect their committee representatives to be scrupulously honest.

English is a proven imposter, yet he maintains his prestigious rewarded positions with support from his President and a few of his Sub Branch committee mates.

English has not been ordered to resign by his friend, the President of the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch committee Mr. Warren Thomas.

Our advice to Thomas is that if you protect an imposter, you can consider yourself an imposter. You are just one step away.

Thomas in an e mail he sent to Anzmi stated -;

"We at Cronulla share your concerns about anyone obtaining benefit or kudos by purporting service in our armed forces that is untrue."

This edict must only apply to others, but somehow not for his mate English.

Thomas should also resign for his double standards and lies. He lacks leadership. He has threatened ANZMI with legal action, but he knows that what ANZMI have published is the truth and is supported by documentation. That is difficult to get over. We welcome any legal action that he or English are willing to pay for. They know how to contact us.

We do not usually get involved in Club politics but when RSL Presidents defend blatant imposters and then threaten us with legal action, it behoves us to get the truth out there.

Particularly when they are disrespectful of other genuine Vietnam veterans as indicated below.

Another Executive Cronulla RSL Sub Branch Committee member, again defending English, recently sent an offensive e mail to Mr. Bill Hobson, of ANZMI regarding Bill Hobson stating, "all he did was cook baked beans on the Vampire." and denigrating his Naval Vietnam service.

"*Your Name:*
Kerry Cattell
*Email Address:*
k.cattell@optusnet.com.au
*Phone:*
*Subject:*
Bill Hobson

*Your Message:*
Is it true that Bill Hobson claims to be a Vietnam Vet but all he did was cook Baked Beans on the Vampire"

Also, in 2014, Cattell posted the following message on a website called "Cav's Blog".

Cattell, oblivious to the fact that Bill Hobson is a pseudonym, lambasted him in another e mail posted on the internet, in that,

"This little pr-ck Bill Hobson was a Cook on the (HMAS) Vampire and spent 16 days in the South China Sea. Think he got a medal. Wounded by baked beans".

"Kerry Cattell May 3, 2014 at 1:51 PM

I agree wannabees need to be outed but ANZMI outs brothers. I wrote to Hobson about outing Keith Joyce. Now Joyce wears some medals incorrectly but this guy was THERE. MM and Army commendation Medal (US) for valour. This little prick, Bill Hobson, was a cook on the VAMPIRE and spent 16 days in the South China Sea. Think he got a medal , Wounded by Baked Beans.He would understand that some brothers have PTSD and if they want to wear a Sheriff's tin star with their medals it doesn't worry me."

Denigrating Royal Australian Navy Cooks on widely read social media is not a very smart comment to make from an RSL Executive Committee member. You could make a lot of enemies with that attitude.

There is a William Hobson who was a "Royal Australian Navy Cook" on the Vietnam Nominal Roll, and who served honorably on the HMAS Vampire, but we can assure you that it is not Bill Hobson Anzmi.

Importantly, William Hobson the Navy Cook went to Vietnam. English, who Thomas and Cattell are defending did not. English claims to have gone, but decided to go on holidays instead, knowing the ship was leaving for Vietnam in a few days. English is the imposter here. William Hobson, Royal Australian Navy Cook, HMAS Vampire IS NOT.

He is a genuine Vietnam veteran, who does not need the disrespect of Cattell denigrating his Naval active service on at least two occasions that we know of.

We are certain that every RAN cook who ever served in Vietnam waters or elsewhere, and was accredited with active service or not, would not be very impressed with Cattell's comments. When censured by ANZMI for these highly offensive remarks, Cattell later recanted and stated that "someone must have used his e mail address (to send these messages) without his knowledge". That excuse is like "The dog ate my homework."

We here at ANZMI respect all genuine servicemen and women who have contributed to this Nation. We do not discriminate as to what Branch of the Services or positions they hold or held in their honorable service. They all support each other.

We do however, have a problem with wannabees, frauds and all those who defend them. Cattell denigrates the Vietnam service of others to protect his mate.

Cattell also mentions, " If some brothers have PTSD and want to wear a Sheriff's tin star with their medals, it doesn't worry me". Cattell adopts the position that you can wear what you like and say what you like about your alleged military service. If Cattell ever becomes in charge of an RSL Branch, it will be open slather. All the imposters and wannabees will love him.

We get dozens of e mails from young Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor veterans who inform us that they decline to join the RSL movement due to wannabees holding controlling positions within the organisation. This situation is not helped by the likes of RSL Presidents and others we have exposed as imposters recently, who have gained their positions by deception.

See: ANZMI.

Lance Mailer Smith, President, Glenroy RSL Victoria,
David Hugh Edwards, President, Leongatha RSL, Victoria,
John Malcolm Griffiths, President, Essendon RSL., Victoria,
Geoffrey Phillip Lyles, President, Kyneton RSL, Victoria,
Douglas Craig OLoughlan, President, Bright RSL Victoria,
Alexander Robert Fullarton, Former President/Secretary, Carnarvon RSL, Western Australia,
Graeme Rex Caesar, Interim National President, Submarines Association of Australia, Queensland,
and of course -;
Mr Kenneth Edward English, Vice President, Cronulla RSL, NSW.

However, in spite of what ANZMI does in exposing RSL and other ESO frauds, we encourage those younger veterans to join the respected RSL organisation, participate, stand for committees, and continue the fight against wannabees and medal cheats and report them to ANZMI, to safeguard the legacy of what has been handed down by genuine returned RSL veterans over decades.

Whilst they are out there, and whilst we have your support, we will continue our exposures and provide regular updates of all imposters who continue to hold ESO committee positions and those who defend them.

The truth is our ally

Being exposed by Anzmi as a military fraud and a wannabee has no time limitations. Some of the imposters we have placed on site here have lived the lie for years.

We try and correct that by exposing the truth. The truth is our aim and the truth is our motive.

We continually remind Ex Service Organisations and in particular RSL Clubs to monitor and regularly audit their members for claimed military service and medals entitlements. Without these protocols, an anything goes situation prevails.

One organisation that regularly audit their records and require stringent documentary proof of military service of applicants who apply to join their organisation is the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia. (VVFA)

Kenneth English is another example of how imposters get themselves elected into executive positions on Returned Services League (RSL) Club committees and enjoy the fruits of their deceit for years until they are caught out.

R95543 Kenneth Edward English, Born on the 9 October, 1950, joined the Royal Australian Navy on the 9 July 1966. He enlisted for 12 years as a junior recruit.

Following his training, he became an Ordinary Seaman, (Stores Assistant). He eventually served on HMAS Sydney from 29 June, 1967 to 10 December, 1967, when he took leave and was then posted to HMAS Moresby, following completion of his leave on the 1st January, 1968.

These dates are significant as you read on.

He is currently the Senior Vice President of the Cronulla Returned Services League Memorial Club (RSL), and the Junior Vice President of the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch located in Sydney. He is currently the Secretary of the Sutherland Shire Naval Association. He considers himself a "tall poppy".

English has claimed Vietnam Naval active service on the HMAS Sydney in December, 1967, but in fact he had none.

The integrity of Kenneth Edward English has come to the attention of ANZMI investigators that confirm that he is a long time imposter and fraud.

Members of the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia, (VVFA), formerly Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, (VVAA), and others, are concerned that English is not who he claims to be.

On the 22 May, 2008, English completed details on an application form for membership of that organisation falsely claiming to be a Vietnam Veteran with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) service on the HMAS Sydney, on dates between the 29/6/67 to 2/1/1968.

This application was accepted on the basis that the information he provided was the truth. The Vietnam Nominal Roll was checked and his name appeared on it.

His application was approved on that basis.

He was then granted membership as a Vietnam Veteran of that organisation and as such, he applied for and purchased Vietnam War Ribands bumper bar stickers for his vehicle, and the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia Lapel badge.

A copy of his VVFA record disclosing the information he provided is shown below.

The document below is the erroneous Vietnam Nominal Roll entry from the Australian War Memorial records, that his application was checked against and approved.

The executive and members are not too impressed when imposters fraudulently misrepresent themselves to join their great long standing organisation and claim the honour of Vietnam veterans to gain benefits when in fact, they had no Vietnam service at all.

A spokesperson told us that -;

"When we came home from Vietnam a lot of military personnel would not even admit to being a Vietnam veteran because of the way we were treated. Now people falsely misrepresent themselves and cash in on it to get benefits and courtesies that they don't deserve and steal our honour. He slipped through the system somehow by telling lies."

His records at the VVFA still have him registered as a Vietnam veteran with HMAS Sydney, Royal Australian Naval Service as indicated above.

At the time English joined the VVFA in 2008, his name had been included on the Australian War Memorial, (AWM) Vietnam Nominal Roll, Canberra, in error since 1997.

He was aware at the time he joined the VVFA that his name had been placed on the Roll in error. He did nothing to correct the mistake. For years he then delicately tip toed and in fact crossed the line of ethics and integrity in respect to his alleged Royal Australian Navy “active service”, knowing his chances of being caught out were minimal.

Over the years, he managed to build up a false image that he is a Vietnam Veteran, including joining the VVFA. He has then used that misinformation to gain key positions on committees to gain undeserved financial benefits and increased standing in the community.

During his naval service, Ordinary Seaman Kenneth English served in the Far East Strategic Reserve in a non combatant peacetime capacity and also in New Guinea as a Stores Assistant. At the time English served, these areas were non war like and not classified as active duty.

In June, 1967, English was a crew member of HMAS Sydney.

HMAS Sydney was a retired Naval Aircraft Carrier, but due to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the ship had been re-commissioned in 1962 as a troop and transport ship. From May, 1965, the ship was engaged in the highly important role of transporting troops, supplies, ammunitions, vehicles and other war time necessities from Sydney to Vung Tau Harbour, Vietnam. It was affectionately known as the Vung Tau ferry.

On the 11 December, 1967, whilst a crew member of HMAS Sydney, Ordinary Seaman Kenneth English availed himself of 21 days annual leave. His leave record is shown below.

A few days later, HMAS Sydney commenced its voyage from Sydney via Fremantle, Western Australia, to Vung Tau, Vietnam with its necessary provisions for the war effort.

This was the HMAS Sydney’s 8th voyage to Vietnam.

English at this time was enjoying his annual leave, whilst his shipmates were training and readying themselves for whatever lay in front of them on active service in Vietnam waters.

The Ship's records indicate that on this particular voyage, HMAS Sydney was accredited with 15 days active service from the 20 December, 1967 to the 3 January, 1968. The ship transported 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment to Vietnam.

Every Naval crew member posted on the ship at the time was accredited with the equivalent active service days, and this was accrued from when the ship left the last Australian port of Fremantle to when it returned to Fremantle 15 days later.

In 1997, the records of all Australian servicemen and women, Army, Navy and Air Force, who had served in the Republic of Vietnam or Vietnam waters, were posted on the Australian War Memorial (AWM) Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans web site for public viewing.

In a massive task undertaken, some errors were made.

One particular error was the inclusion of naval rating R95543 Kenneth Edward English, Ordinary seaman, stores assistant, who was credited with 15 days active service on the HMAS Sydney from 20 December, 1967 to the 3 January, 1968 when the ship departed Fremantle for Vung Tau, Vietnam and returned to Fremantle.

He was in fact on annual leave during this time.

English became aware of this glaring error, but as stated, did nothing to correct it. In fact, some years later, he used the incorrect information to his own advantage when applying for positions on RSL Club executive positions.

Positions that reward him with cash honorariums, meals, drinks and trips away. Benefits that other normal members do not have access to.

In the document above , his Curriculum Vitae (C.V) for election at his local Cronulla RSL club indicated that he saw “active service” with the “Far East Strategic Reserve and P.N.G.”

The Far East Strategic Reserve was only classified by the Australian Government as “active service” if, in the case of the Royal Australian Navy, the ship had qualifying service in prescribed war like areas. His description would indicate to the reader/member that he had served in a war zone. The only prescribed war zone at the time English served in the Navy was Vietnam. He certainly did not go there.

He was on holidays!

As for performing "Active Service" in Papua New Guinea in the 1960's, no further comment is required. He would have known that, due to the fact that he would have been entitled to be awarded with the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM).

The above document is an extract of an article that appeared in the local Newspaper. In his role of Sub Branch Vice president, English was a Master of Ceremonies at Munro Park Memorial, Cronulla, in regards to the commemoration of the death of an Australian Soldier, who had been killed in action in Afghanistan. When interviewed, English told the reporter that he (English) was in fact a Vietnam War veteran. This was included in the local newspaper write up.

A Newspaper spokesperson has been contacted by ANZMI, who confirmed that the reporter would not have accredited English with being a Vietnam War veteran unless the reporter was told by English himself.

We were told, "How else would our Journalist know, you just don't fabricate things like that."

The above photograph is English wearing the Vietnam Veterans lapel badge he purchased from the VVFA.

English also placed the VVFA bumper bar "Vietnam war riband" sticker on his personal vehicle disclosing to all that he was a Vietnam veteran with active service.

He would have known that when the VVFA made inquiries to confirm the legitimacy of his claimed Vietnam service with the Australian War Memorial, they would have located his name on the Vietnam Nominal Roll. He knew that his particulars had been placed there in error, therefore, he had nothing to fear and he did nothing to correct it.

We have also ascertained that English directly told some Cronulla RSL Sub Branch members that he went to Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney in December, 1967.

ANZMI recently contacted the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch President to ascertain the outcome of a reported investigation initiated by concerned members that English was not who he purported to be and was not a Vietnam veteran at all.

However, the President, Warren Thomas reported in writing that the matter was finalised.

Thomas stated that "Some time ago it was reported that Mr English appeared incorrectly on the nominal roll of Vietnam Veterans along with some other "hear say" about his Vietnam service" Thomas stated that they are aware of the matter, but the investigation has been finalised. In other words, no further action. Thomas further responded in writing that,

"We at Cronulla share your concerns about anyone obtaining benefit or kudos by purporting service in our armed forces that is untrue."

If that is the case Mr. Warren Thomas, why did you allow English to carry on in executive positions within the RSL Memorial Club and Sub Branch after it had been brought to your attention and proven that English was an imposter claiming Vietnam service when he had none. Why would you do that?

By concealing the facts, Thomas is treating his fellow Memorial Club and as far as we know Sub Branch committee members with complete disrespect, arrogance and contempt.

Our inquiries have revealed that the New South Wales R.S.L. State Headquarters has not been notified by Thomas of any investigation into the fraudulent activities of English.

As a consequence, English continues to hold positions and gain benefits at Senior Executive level at both the Memorial Club and the Sub Branch as though nothing has happened. Recently, he was re-appointed as the Senior Vice President of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club for another three years. He had previously stood for President but was defeated.

He has never been reprimanded. We have been assured that he and Thomas have never revealed his deceptions or apologized to the RSL Memorial Club Committee and members or, as far as we know, the Sub Branch Committee and members. They are all unaware of his unethical behaviour and his “wannabee” status.

We recently contacted English. He stated that he apologised to the Sub Branch members who he told he was a Vietnam veteran, however after several requests, he refused to provide us with the names of these members and we are unable to confirm the truth of his statement. Why won't he tell us? You can make your own mind up about that.

Our investigation has revealed that as a result of him being reported to the Sub Branch President Thomas as an imposter , he finally organised the removal of his name from the Vietnam Nominal Roll, after he knew it was incorrectly listed there for 17 years.!!!

However, no one at either Club is the wiser and he still obtains the benefits.

When asked for any further conditions imposed upon him, both English and Thomas declined to respond.

English stated however, that "This is clearly a tall poppy syndrome attack and a witch hunt based on hearsay."

Well we do not consider English to be a "tall poppy" and we certainly do not think it is"hearsay". Far from it. He has acquired his so called "tall poppy" positions at the RSL Club by producing misleading documentation on his c.v. regarding his "active service" , untruths to members and deceit. He has also misled voting members who placed their trust in him by his behaviour. "That is not hearsay"

He lied to the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia in May 2008 by claiming false Vietnam Royal Australian Navy service when he had none. "That is not hearsay either."

English had every opportunity to travel to Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney. However, he took annual leave instead for his own reasons, knowing that the ship was leaving in a few days time. He subsequently became aware of the administrative error at the AWM and used this error to his own advantage to claim Vietnam active service for many years.

He has used the honour of his genuine shipmates who left for Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney in December 1967 and Vietnam Veterans in general, to enhance his own status in the community to gain undeserved substantial financial benefits and rewards for years.

He should write to the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia immediately and apologise for his deceitful conduct and resign his membership.

There was no misunderstanding. English claimed to that organisation that he was a Vietnam War Veteran with RAN service on the HMAS Sydney on the dates indicated when he applied for membership, and then purchased the war ribands sticker for his car and VVFA badge.

The Memorial and Sub Branch committees should also take action against wannabees lurking in their midst and not conceal the facts from their members.

English should resign from all his self described "tall poppy" positions at the Club immediately. If he does not, then he should be shown the door. He should also publicly apologise to all Vietnam veterans for stealing their honour.

It is an offence under the Defence Act 1903 to claim to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman.

DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 80A - Falsely representing to be returned soldier, sailor or airman

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person represents himself or herself to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman; and

(b) the representation is false.

Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) returned soldier means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Military Force raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire, or as a member of the Military Forces of any Ally of Great Britain.

The President who made the poor decision to cover up for English in this fiasco, knowing full well that he is a Vietnam veteran imposter, should also resign from his positions for the integrity of the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club, the Sub Branch and the NSW State RSL Headquarters.

Genuine Vietnam veterans have struggled with mental issues and other major disorders for years because of what they endured.

Those who steal their honour are not fit for executive office in the RSL organisation.

Peter James Pool Update May, 2019.

Peter James Pool continues to snub his nose at the Australian Veteran Community. Although he has now removed the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, he refuses to remove the Anniversary of National Service Medal from his rack of medals, that he is not entitled to wear.

Pool now wears another medal on his rack. Depicted below.

This medal is an Australian Commando Association commemorative medal that should not be worn with genuine Australian Military medals worn on the left. It should be worn on the right side, in accordance with Australian Governor General’s medal wearing protocols.

Pool is a grandstander and a medal cheat.

He is entitled to wear the first three medals on his rack. That is all. He should be proud to wear those and not embellish his service by adding purchased commemorative medals or un-awarded Australian Military medals.

 ***

Peter James POOL Update. – June 2018.

Following our recent exposure of Peter James Pool, he resigned his membership of the NSW RSL State Branch and the Bundeena RSL Sub Branch, Sydney, on the 19 February, 2018. He admitted that he was not entitled to wear the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Pool was the Senior Vice President of the Bundeena RSL Sub Branch and was next in line for the position of President of that Branch. A position he was keen to be appointed.

Pool states in his letter of resignation to NSW RSL State Branch that -;

"Following recent publications on my non entitlement to wear the Sth Vietnam/Republic medal and ribbon, I accept that this should not have been worn due (to) requirements of days (just falling short) and apologise for the oversight when all medals were mounted".

Pool just does not get it. He continues to lie even when he is caught out. Pool has been accredited with 44 days active service in Vietnam waters. He knows that. The requirement for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) is 181 days. It always has been. Pool knows that as well. Pool is 137 days short of qualifying for this medal.

He also claims "it was an oversight when all the medals were mounted". Pool would have been very aware of the requirements for his entitlement to the RVCM. He was never awarded it. He purchased it on e bay or at a Medal Dealers shop and had it court mounted. That was no "oversight".

Pool is a false pretender and a medal cheat.

Pool puts himself out there in his LInkedin profile as -;

Peter James POOL.
-CAPTAIN AND CHIEF MARINE ENG.-
ASDE ,/ PJP COMMERCIAL MARINE.

He lacks credibility and he has no place in the veteran community. Welcome to the website, Peter James Pool.

***

CASE NOTES

Peter James Pool was born on the 15 December, 1947. He enlisted in 1 Commando Company in the part time Australian Army Reserves (Ares) on the 23 July, 1966. Records indicate that he was with 1 Commando Company until 23 December, 1968. He later transferred over to full time Reserves, Australia Regular Army. (ARA)

As a Private soldier, Peter James Pool was subsequently posted to the Australian Army ship, the “John Monash”. The John Monash was a 1400 ton Cargo ship. Photograph below -;

Service history

John Monash was built for the Associated Steamships Co. and was completed in 1955. She was purchased by the Australian Army in 1965 to provide a means of transporting cargo which was unsuitable for the Army's four Landing Ship Medium and was assigned to the 32nd Small Ship Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers. She was also used as a training ship and to supply Army units deployed in South Vietnam. In the later role she completed eleven voyages to South Vietnam between 1965 and 1972.The ship was sold in 1975 to a foreign company]
Source Wikepedia.

Between the 25 October, 1969 and the 7 December, 1969, John Monash sailed from Australia to South Vietnam with vital cargo for the Australian war effort. According to the Vietnam Nominal Roll, Peter Pool was a member of the crew. The ship returned to Australia on the 7 December, 1969, 44 days later..

In the recent photograph above, Peter James Pool is wearing the following medals.
1. Australian Active Service medal. Entitled.
2. Vietnam Medal. (28 days or more Vietnam waters) Entitled.
3. Australian Defence Medal. Entitled.
4. Anniversary of National Service Medal. Purchased. Not entitled.
5. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. RVCM (181 days in Vietnam) Purchased. Not entitled.


Usually, the ship on arrival in South Vietnam, unloaded stores within a day or two, and then returned directly to Australia. It was called the “Shuttle Run” by those associated with her.

Operational service for all crew members on these voyages is calculated from the time the ship departed the last Australian port, until it returned to the next Australian port.

In the case of Peter Pool, 44 days.

Below is a copy of his Vietnam War Service from the Vietnam Nominal Roll -;

Vietnam War Service

Veteran Details

Name POOL, Peter James
Service Australian Army
Service Number 2244138
Date of Birth 15 Dec 1947
Place of Birth SYDNEY NSW AUSTRALIA
Rank Private
National Service No
Corps Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Honours None for display
________________________________________
Unit History
Unit Name Start Date End Date
32 Small Ship Squadron (AS 3051 John Monash) 25 Oct 1969 07 Dec 1969 44 DAYS


Peter Pool is not entitled to wear the following medals. He has not been officially awarded them. He has purchased them, paid to have them court mounted, and added them to his genuine 3 medals illegally.

1. Anniversary of National Service Medal.

The Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal is a commemorative medal awarded to Australians for their service in post-war national service schemes. Wikipedia.

Pool was not an Australian National Serviceman.

2. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was awarded to Australian military personnel for service in South Vietnam during the period 31 July 1962 to 28 March 1973. The requirements for the award are: at least 181 days service, either continuous or aggregated, unless killed on active service (KIA); or wounded in action (includes psychological injury) and evacuated (medically evacuated other than being wounded does not meet requirement for medal); or captured and later released or escaped. Wikipedia.

Pool did not service in the qualifying area for the required 181 days.

ANZMI sent Peter Pool an email to his current email address, and invited him to respond to the fact that he wears the two un-awarded military medals.

He failed to respond.

Peter James Pool is a Medal cheat and an imposter. He has no right to wear them.

Pool is a Director and owner of Australian Specialised Defence Equipment (ASDE), Sydney. This Company has provided equipment, under contract, to the Australian Defence Force. Pool should have more sense than to wear medals that he has not earned.  

He should remove the un-awarded medals immediately, and apologise to the President, Committee, and all his fellow members at the Bundeena RSL Sub Branch in Sydney, for his lack of respect for the Australian Honours System and Defence Force protocols.

Matthew James SARDON - UPDATE JULY 2019


Matthew James Sardon is a recidivist liar and wannabe who has moved from Western Australia to now reside Edithvale, Melbourne Victoria.

Sardon still has the guile of a snake and the morals of an ally cat, he strikes wherever he can find a vulnerable target. He then extols his disgraceful lies about his less than auspicious military service as described in our original exposure.

A soldier's record is now referred to as his PMKeys file. Each soldier is allocated a unique PMKeys number that identifies him throughout his career. Sardon has created a false PMKeys military document falsely and unscrupulously reflecting exceptional accomplishments as an elite Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) Corporal.

Here are excerpts from the fake document:

Once again we offer a warning, that although Sardon is debonair, handsome and claims to be a war damaged veteran, he is nothing like that. In reality he is a failed soldier, a wannabe, valour thief and medals cheat, whose intentions are dishonest and immoral.

As long as Sardon spreads is vile false persona, we will record his movements and his actions.

****

Mathew Sardon enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on the 1 June, 2012. Following initial training, he was posted to 4 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery as an observer

Sardon is a classic military imposter. He is a wannabee, valour thief and medal cheat.

He is also a failed soldier who never deployed outside Australia during his 2 years and 8 months in the ARA. He subsequently transferred to the Australian Army part time Reserves, (ARes), where his services were terminated in June 2016.

Yet, to look at his impressive rack of medals, anyone would naturally conclude that he is/was a highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force, who has been deployed on dangerous war like service.

In the below photographs, Sardon wears the following medals -;

1. Australian Active Service Medal with two clasps - Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. Afghanistan Medal
3. Iraq Medal.
4. Australian Defence Medal.
5. NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Medal. Operation Slipper, Afghanistan.

Above his medals he is wearing the -;

6. Australian Infantry Combat Badge. (ICB)
7. The Australian Returned from Active Service Badge. (RASB)

Sardon is not entitled to wear any of the medals or the two badges mentioned above.

He has purchased the entire lot to fraudulently represent himself to others that he is the real deal, a returned veteran with an impressive Australian Defence Force career. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In the below exchange, Sardon infers that he is deployed on warlike service with United States Marines. It seems that this imposter will resort to any means available to maintain a façade to others about his false military service.

We have statements that Sardon did not complete one bush training exercise during his limited regular Army service, due to his unsuitability to Army life.

Not everyone is suited to the harsh realities of Australian Defence Force service, and ANZMI is not critical of Sardon’s inability to carry out his allotted field duties.

However, ANZMI is critical of Sardon’s poor decisions to embellish his service and create a false military history to gain benefits and undeserved recognition, by stealing the valour of others who have “done the hard yards”

Due to his dishonest and illegal behaviour, Mathew Sardon has now gained deserved recognition on this site.

Sardon has committed offences under the Defence Act 1903, Sections 80A and 80B.
(Falsely representing himself to be a returned soldier and improper use of service decorations.).

ANZMI will continue to ferret out these imposters for as long as they offend, and for as long as we have the support of the Australian and New Zealand veteran community and the general public.

BERNARD JAMES STORER UPDATE APRIL, 2019.

On each occasion, we view a photograph of Bernard Storer, former Australian Army Military Police Corporal, 1966 – 1968, he is wearing an additional medal.

In this photograph, he also poses before a United States Army Poster, portraying the image that he is either a former U.S. Army Serviceman or an Australian who served in the U.S. Army. We are not sure why he thinks that is necessary.

Storer1 jpg

Storer2 jpg

Storer continues to wear the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm that he purchased on ebay or a Medal Dealer and presented it to himself. He also now wears the Victoria Police Service medal for ethical and diligent behaviour. This is the last medal on his current rack. The medal and riband are shown below.


Storer3 jpg

This is a State issued internal Victoria Police Medal. Commonwealth Governor General’s protocols dictate that State medals should be worn on the right hand side and not added to or mixed with Federal issued medals worn on the left. Storer would be well aware of these protocols, but has added the State medal to embellish his rack.

Storer now rightly wears the National Medal for 15 years service in the Victoria Police Force. He is also entitled to one clasp for a further 10 years service. However, he has taken the liberty of awarding himself an extra second clasp, which indicates at least a 35 year career in that office.

Its an Honour, Canberra, indicates that Storer was issued the National Medal in May, 1987 and one clasp in September, 1990, the year he left the Police Force.

Further updates on Storer will be published periodically on ANZMI, as his medal rack continues to grow.

****

3785919 Bernard James Storer was conscripted into the Australian Army in 1966.  Following completion of his Recruit Training, he was posted to Southern Command, Royal Australian Army Provost Corps, Melbourne.  He then completed his Corps Training and was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

On the 21 June, 1967, Storer was posted to 1 Divisional Provost Company, Vietnam.  For the following 9 months he served at Vung Tau, Nui Dat and Saigon as a Military Police Non Commissioned Officer.

His duties consisted of normal Military Police duties in those three locations and his service would not be regarded as out of the ordinary or exceptional.
Storer returned to Australia in March 1968 and returned to his former employment.

In the above photograph taken recently, Storer is wearing the following medals -:

1.      Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75  clasp Vietnam              Entitled

2.      Australian Vietnam Medal                                                          Entitled

3.      Australian Defence Medal                                                          Entitled

4.      National Service Medal                                                              Entitled

5.      Gallantry Cross with Palm (Republic of Vietnam Medal)                Not Entitled

6.      Vietnam Campaign Medal                                                          Entitled.

There seems to be a growing propensity of former Vietnam Veterans to wear this Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  If it has not been awarded officially by the former Republic of Vietnam Government and it is not recorded on your service records, you are not entitled to wear it.  It is as simple as that. 

The Medal can be purchased on the Internet for about $20.00 and this is what Storer and all the other medal cheats have done to improve their rack.

If you wear medals that you are not entitled to wear, then you can expect to be photographed and placed on the ANZMI site.  Our operatives are dispersed throughout Australia and New Zealand and the veteran community are sickened by the amount of genuine veterans adding non earned medals to their genuine rack for no other reason than to inflate their own ego and glorify their service.

This is published in the public interest, particularly that of the Vietnam Veteran Community. All information presented here is fact and the truth. Reports from the private citizens are supported by statement of fact and statutory declarations.

Jeffrey Showler is about 50 years of age. He is a dreamer. At least that is what some of his associates have told us. Showler likes to publicise the fact that he is a highly intelligent former Royal Military College Duntroon Graduate, who has specialist skills as an Encryptologist and a Marksman Sniper to boot. He is a man of many hats., including a highly skilled Intelligence Analyst at the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. (ASIO)

Showler runs a Face Book page where he has identified his unique talents for the world to see. It is a very impressive curriculum vitae (cv), in particular, to those in the outside world.

Showler Face Book page.
• Security Analyst at ASIO
• Infantry at Australian Defence Force
• Former As Per Above at Australian Army
• Former Cryptologist Specialist - Rifleman - Specialist Marksman Sniper - Infantry at Ex - Australian Defence Force "Army"
• Former Forestry Management at Department Conservation and Environment
• Studied Major: Bachelor of Information Technology (I.T. Security) at Deakin University
• Studied Cryptography at Broadmeadows Kangan Institue of TAFE
• Studied Forestry at Bendigo TAFE
• Went to Kyneton Secondary College

Showler joined a Dating Website, where he identified himself as an Infantry Soldier, and who was awarded a Graduate Degree at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. He claims that his interests include “meeting people, flirting and romance”.

We assume that Showler is out to gain favour with members of the opposite sex and not his own. With credentials and romantic interests of that calibre, what lady could resist the temptation of contacting him for the opportunity of appeal and intrigue.

Showler’s claims are inconsistent with reality. He claims that he was a specialist Marksman Sniper. Infantry Snipers usually hold the rank of Private, Rifleman. They are never Royal Military College Duntroon graduates, who on graduation, would be Commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant.

Showler claims military service in the Australian Army in the following periods –

Australian Defence Force

Infantry • 1989 to present
• Ex - Australian Defence Force "Army"
Cryptologist Specialist - Rifleman - Specialist Marksman Sniper - Infantry • October 1986 to January 2006
Service History (1986-89) - (1993-97) - (2004-06)
• Ex - Australian Defence Force "Army"
Cryptologist Specialist - Rifleman - Specialist Marksman Sniper - Infantry • October 1986 to January 2006

As well, he also discloses his Duntroon graduate and Infantry claims on his Dating Site Friends-4-Life entry.
Also amongst his skills, Showler states the following -;

Professional Skills
• Army snipers • Australian Army • Australian Department of Defence • Australian Infantry Regiment

Not having any idea of Military terms or protocol, Showler states “Army snipers” as a Professional skill. That is a ridiculous comment made by someone who has obviously never experienced Army life. He also claims Australian Infantry Regiment. If he was genuine, he would state, “Infantry, Royal Australian Regiment.” , or RAR.

Showler claims Australian Army service until 2006. Another problem for him though, is that the Australian Defence Force has never heard of him.

ANZMI also contacted ASIO regarding Showler. A spokesperson for that organisation stated that he could not confirm or deny that Showler was an Intelligence Analyst working at ASIO.

He did comment however, that a person employed by that organisation, in particular as an Intelligence Analyst, would not publicise those personal details on public social media.

To ANZMI, that makes sense. He could certainly draw the attention from all the nut cases out there who have an axe to grind with our top Intelligence Organisation.

Showler likes to dress up in Army Cams (camouflage uniform) and pose for the camera.

We tried to contact Showler and ask him some details about his alleged remarkable military career and his undercover ASIO activities. He was not too keen to respond to ANZMI’s inquiries. Probably because it is all hush hush, and he can only talk about it to impress gullible ladies seeking flirtation and romance on the Dating Site.

Welcome to the real world, Jeffrey Showler.