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Greenhithe and Swanscombe Royal British Legion member exposed as fraud (From News Shopper)
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Greenhithe and Swanscombe Royal British Legion member exposed as fraud
9:38am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter
Steve Brooks, left, with genuine veterans and RBL members Terry Tucker and Graham Mentor-Morris in the picture from last week's splash.
A ROYAL British Legion member who posed as a war veteran on the front page of News Shopper has been exposed as a fraud.
Steve Brooks, 49, praised his Greenhithe and Swanscombe Royal British Legion's nationally recognised Real Poppy Campaign in last week's splash.
But the branch vice-chairman's claims that he served as a Paratrooper in the Falklands were a lie.
When fellow members found out they suspended him from the RBL committee before he then resigned.
Legion member Graham Mentor-Morris came up with the plan to carpet the country in poppies for the First World War centenary in 2014.
He says he has been left stunned by the antics of "Walter Mitty" figure Mr Brooks.
The 57-year-old said: "This is like a punch between the eyebrows; the biggest shock to the system I have had in a decade.
"I am absolutely appalled and disgusted.
"He was very active in promoting and helping out; very hands on.
"There was certainly no need to be Walter Mitty."
Membership of the RBL is not restricted to ex-service personnel but Mr Brooks joined the Greenhithe branch around a year ago claiming to have served in the Third Parachute Regiment for four years.
He was allowed to join but gave an eight digit service number when real IDs only contain seven.
Club chairman Phil Berry, 61, is a former Lance Corporal in the Royal Signals who served in Northern Ireland.
He said: "You accept people at face value because you don't think anybody would say something like that without being genuine.
"He will no longer be welcome on the premises."
Mr Brooks came on a trip to the battlefields at Ypres dressed in a blazer and was apparently able to avoid suspicion when joining in conversations about army life, though there were "certain things that didn't read".
Ex-Royal Artilleryman Mr Mentor-Morris said: "He put snippets in where conversations were going on and it was relevant."
On Wednesday (October 24) he was confronted by club members and did not deny the allegations.
To buy your poppies and learn more about the Real Poppy Campaign campaign, visit realpoppy.co.uk
Steve Brooks responds
Mr Brooks says he applied for the Army in the 1980s but got turned down because of his asthma.
Speaking to News Shopper on Monday, he said: "I don’t know what I was doing. I have ruined everything to be honest.
"What can you say, I am just a prat.
"I just wanted to get in with the lads, I just wanted to be part of something.
"It’s a great atmosphere there.
"It was something I have never had before where everybody just helps each other out."
He added: "I didn’t want to do anything that would destroy that for them, but now I’ve gone and done that.
"They want to stay in touch with me but I don’t think I could go back to be honest.
"I have apologised and they have accepted my resignation."
Comments(16)
cookster
says...
11:25am Tue 30 Oct 12
It seems he's done so much to help the RBL with fundraising etc then despite this fantasy he shouldn't be treated like a monster. He's not robbed or defrauded anyone has he?
Make him an honourary veteran!
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
11:27am Tue 30 Oct 12
Just a dreamer.
dansfastfezzie
says...
11:21pm Wed 31 Oct 12
He put himself out to help the royal British legion he made a mistake he is human think he needs to be given a break.
I still see him as a good friend and trust 100% think everyone should give him the same chance.
cocknyboi
says...
3:52pm Fri 2 Nov 12
dansfastfezzie wrote:i have known this man for over 20 years!!
Well Iam a member of this royal British legion and Steve brooks is a good friend of mine and he should not be treated like the way he is.
He put himself out to help the royal British legion he made a mistake he is human think he needs to be given a break.
I still see him as a good friend and trust 100% think everyone should give him the same chance.
he has always been the same. he will never change. he has always made out he is something he aint and always gets caught. i did lmfao wen i saw the story!! you have to be stupid to put your pic in the paper where people have known him for yrs!! lol he got exposed silly little man!! he owes alot to alot of people the net is closing in on him at last!! NEVER TRUST THIS MAN!!! MR STEVE BROOKS
gunner1740
says...
2:10pm Sun 4 Nov 12
They always trip up at some time !!!
UBIQUE !!!
commenting scoffer
says...
10:22am Mon 5 Nov 12
miss sweetness
says...
10:39am Mon 5 Nov 12
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
11:16am Mon 5 Nov 12
rarecockneyguvnor
says...
11:41am Mon 5 Nov 12
That just means more sockpuppet accounts.
Run along now.
Locked and Loaded
says...
1:37am Tue 6 Nov 12
Cant take it can ya, all right giving it out, typical bully behaviour.
I always say "what goes around comes around !! " .. and it does !!
the wall
says...
11:21am Tue 6 Nov 12
I'm Nicholas today or Wiffen ?
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
4:53pm Tue 6 Nov 12
LOL
To Wiffin or not to Wiffin thats the question.
I'm Tom today, can you tell ?
rarecockneyguvnor
says...
7:31pm Tue 6 Nov 12
Waaa Waaa Nicolarsehole.
Bob Downondiss
says...
9:26pm Tue 6 Nov 12
Ohh no, who would do such a dirty deed. Don't look at me !!
ROFLMAO.
hussar15
says...
7:39pm Wed 7 Nov 12
My service Number has Eight Digits ,
Guess who ;) AGAIN ! says...
10:41am Tue 30 Oct 12
What I just dont get is the fact these fools never think they will get found out.
Ohh by the way I'm Spartacus ! ;)