We were asked to review a number of photographic images of “Sergeant” Robert Cooper who resides in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.
Our review identified many inconsistencies in his medallic display and, when combined with his confusing claims of service, that gave us cause to question his entire military narrative.
Our team conducted a thorough review of all available records, this included websites, newspaper articles, photographic images, regimental tour books, searchable data bases of medal recipients and extracts from military documents in Canada and the US in order to determine the legitimacy of his claims.
SV-C then reached out to the regimental and corps associations, their museums and other organizations in which Cooper has claimed to have served. The publicly accessible records, that we have had the opportunity to review, do not support the majority of his claims. The absence of verifiable records alone does not conclusively prove that an individual is a fake or embellisher, it just indicates that there are no records…
Mr Cooper has been playing his came for a number of years until the RCMP came knocking on his door.
From the images we were asked to review, It appears that the individual is wearing the Medal of Bravery (MB) and the Sacrifice Medal (SM). Fortunately, one’s entitlement to the MB is easily confirmed via the list of recipients available on the Governor General’s website ( http://gg.ca/honours.aspx?lan=eng ). Not surprisingly, Cooper is not listed.
Entitlement to the SM is somewhat more difficult, there have been approximately 850 awarded since its creation and the names of the living recipients are not in the public domain, except for the individuals who received their’s @ Rideau Hall during the initial presentation ceremony. That being said, it’s virtually impossible for a living individual to have a SM without an accompanying campaign medal.
Cooper claims this group of medals from his “service” as a civilian contractor working for the US Army and USMC.
US Purple Heart Medal – In 1997, at the urging of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the USCongress passed legislation prohibiting future awards of the Purple Heart to civilians. Today, the Purple Heart is reserved for men and women in uniform. Civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense who are killed or wounded as a result of hostile action may receive the Defense of Freedom Medal created after the terrorist attacks on 11 Sept 2001.
Once again, purchasing a bogus certificate and wearing a fake medal doesn’t change simple arithmetic and recorded history!
What we do know, Cooper was a Signalman (Private) radio operator in I Headquarters and Signal Squadron located in CFB Calgary in the early 1980s. By all accounts, he had a some what lack lustre career trajectory, he couldn’t pass the Battle Fitness Tests required of all soldiers in the field force and it’s reported he went AWOL on at least 2 occasions! And, he was shown the door…
It appears that Mr Cooper doesn’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to his claim of being involved in a mine strike! And, if you are offended by this caption perhaps, you should direct your ire towards Mr Cooper, an individual who portrays himself as a combat wounded vet!
We were asked to review a number of photographic images of “Sergeant” Robert Kelly who resides in the Leamington, Ontario area.
Our review identified many inconsistencies in his dress / appearance and, when combined with his confusing claims of service, that has given us cause to question his entire military narrative.
Our team conducted a thorough review of all available records, this included websites, newspaper articles, photographic images, regimental tour books, searchable data bases of medal recipients and extracts from military documents in Canada in order to determine the legitimacy of his claims.
SV-C then reached out to the regimental associations, their museums and other organizations in which Kelly has claimed to have served. The publicly accessible records, that we have had the opportunity to review, do not support the majority of his claims. That being said, the absence of verifiable records alone does not conclusively prove that an individual is a fake or embellisher, it just indicates that there are no records…
Kelly has alluded to being a WW2 Veteran yet, he was born in Douglastown, New Brunswick in 1936. Now, we are not mathematical geniuses but, those numbers just don’t work… Therefore, question becomes, is he a legitimate Korean War Veteran, a Cold War era Veteran or, is he a Veteran at all?
In addition to his World War 2 foolishness, he has also claimed over the years to be an infantryman with The RCR “SPECIAL FORCES” (1953-1959), a “sky trooper”(whatever the hell that is!), a “NATO Peacekeeper” in Europe, a Code Talker, a Korean War Veteran, a British trained commando and, quite amazingly, he claims to have served in the Canadian Airborne Regiment over a decade before it was formed in April 1968.
Judging by the extensive press coverage he has received over the years, it appears that he’s being pimped as the veteran “go to guy”. The leadership of the Windsor Veterans Memories Project have showcased Mr Kelly at many of their events so, one would assume that they must have verified his military service. Factual errors and omissions occur due to misremembering & that can be forgiven. However, complete fabrications, not so much…
In the old style Battle Dress uniform image, he’s wearing a highly unlikely, and quite confusing display of medal ribbons including the (1) unofficial Aboriginal Millennium Medallion in the senior position, (2) followed by the 2 x WW2 ribbons (including the France & Germany Star), (3) the Special Service Medal NATO, (4) the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal without any accompanying tour medal , (5) the Coronation Medal, (6) the Canadian Decoration indicating a minimum of 12 years of good conduct and loyal service, (7) the Commissionares Long Service Medal, (8) the Service Medal of the Order of St John (without its accompanying ribbon) is often worn on his right lapel & there’s are some sort of parachutist wings on his left breast pocket.
On a stand up poster prominently displayed in the Windsor area, Kelly’s story included the following -“While in Europe, his tours included Germany, England & Holland. A highly trained reconnaissance soldier, as part of a 30 man reconnaissance team. He would gain information on Germany during the day, and then inform his Commanding Officer in the morning”
Was he alluding that he’s a WW2 vet who gathered information on the Nazis or, is he implying that he crossed the IGB and was gathering intelligence on Warsaw Pact Forces? Wearing the France and Germany Star leads us to believe that he was proclaiming himself to be a WW2 Vet!
In the more recent/current images, he’s wearing a maroon blazer along with maroon beret & any evidence of his claimed WW2 service has been removed.
The constant on his many make-believe uniforms is the Queen’s Coronation Medal. That particular medal was presented to just 15 junior ranks of the 2nd Bn of The RCR, all combat veterans/paratroopers who were members the Canadian Contingent in London, England during the 1953 ceremony. Not surprisingly, Mr Kelly’s name is not on that list…
He also says that he met the Queen in Picadilly Circus, and he talks about JOHN Prince (Does he mean Sergeant Tommy Prince MM of the 2nd Bn PPCLI?) who he claims he was forgotten by his regiment and family!
Other than the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, which he is a bonafide recipient, and the Special Service Medal (NATO) which he would have been awarded for his limited service in Europe, what’s the story regarding the other medals he’s been sporting?
This includes the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD), which requires 12 years of qualifying service and good conduct so, how can an individual who claims only 6 years of service (1953-59) be entitled? Additionally, there’s absolutely no evidence that he’s eligible “peacekeeping service” to wear the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.
We believe Mister Kelly may have found himself in a situation in which his stories, unchecked embellishment & outright lies finally caught up with him, and he was finding it difficult to extract himself. SV-C was prepared to assist with correcting this situation if and when Kelly made contact with us.
*What we do know.*
Private Bob Kelly, actually served in the Canadian Army as an infantryman with the 2nd Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment in NW Europe. This was followed by a number of short time periods of service as a reservist in the Royal New Brunswick Regiment and the Windsor Regiment. He never advanced past the rank of PRIVATE during any of his actual service nor, did he get anywhere near the 12 year threshold to be awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD).
SV-C reached out to Kelly in order to clarify the situation & he has not responded. But, the President of the Windsor Historical Society – Veterans’ Memories Project jumped into the discussion, vouched for Kelly’s service, and states he has all the paper work to back it up his buddy’s claims. However, he has refused to release the information so it could be independently verified and, has threatened SV-C with legal action, because we had “slandered an innocent soldier”!
What’s particularly disturbing, his supporters were actually going turn a blind eye to Kelly’s military fairytales and allow him to escort Hockey’s Memorial Cup, a trophy that is dedicated to all Canadian Armed Forces members who gave their lives in the service of our great country.
Kelly’s wife believes that the Memorial Cup was “designed with veterans in mind” and, here we thought the Memorial Cup commemorates Canada’s military sacrifices.
*The bottom line*
PRIVATE Robert Kelly had legitimate military service during the Cold War, that’s something in which he should have taken great pride. He had no need to embellish his time in the Army but, by doing so, he stood in the blood of our brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price for our freedom during the period 1947-1991!
All of our research was provided to the law enforcement agencies which would have jurisdiction(s) in the area in which the alleged violation of s419 CCC had occurred. Additionally, we provided them with the contact information for the Library and Archives – Canada and the CF’s Directorate of Honours and Recognition so, a formal request for relevant documents should they so desire to further investigate Mister Kelly’s bogus military narrative.
Regardless, it’s been a long slog with former Private Kelly as a number of his supporters and enablers interfered with our activities, this entire situation could have been wrapped up a year ago!
We have no doubt that the demand for an apology has now been taken off the table.
The truth was always out there, now a friend and supporter of SVC has Kelly’s medals in his care and custody, the bogus medals will be removed from the group, and the legitimate medals will be returned in the very near future.
SVC also expects a public apology will be made to everyone who has been negatively impacted by Mr Kelly’s medallic fuckery™.
Lest We Forget indeed.
After many years of medallic fuckery, former Private Robert Kelly has now “apologized” for his actions. It didn’t have to end this way, Kelly was discretely contacted and given the opportunity to extract himself from the situation that he had created. However, he was emboldened by “veteran celebrity” status and supported by complicit enablers and gullible supporters who threatened SVC with legal action for exposing his military themed fairy tales. Lest we forget indeed…
Earl Woolery who claims that he served in the first Gulf War as a Cavalry Scout.
He was, in fact, a Staff Sergeant serving in an amored cavalry unit however, he didn’t deploy on any phase of Desert Shield / Desert Storm, as Lincoln, Nebraska wasn’t threatened by Saddam Hussein.
Thanks to our partners at This Ain’t Hell (http://thisainthell.us/blog/) we were able to confirm Mr Wollery’s actual status during GW1.
Aside from the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the two Liberation of Kuwait Medals and the extra OLCs… what’s the problem?
He must have been using some skookum optics / sensors as Lincoln, Nebraska was 7000 miles from the berm!
There’s much more to this fella’s story, we’ll just focus on the medallic fuckery™…
Donald Lemmond aka TYRELL spoke at a Remembrance Day activity at a Local college, telling the audience that he had served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He wore a vast spectrum of medals including a Silver Star, a POW Medal and a Purple Heart.
Uncle Donnie wearing the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal in his rack of lies!
Lemmond also told the audience how he had served in Afghanistan and Iraq and he had retired from the military in 2007 as a “full captain” in the medical corps. As it turns out, he spent some time in the reserves in Canada. Initially, Lemmond said that his cousin had awarded him the medals, but now he admits that he bought them and just pinned them on because “I thought it would give me a little more authority in the job that I was performing for the legion that I was in….”
The federal government has implemented new rules covering how veterans are invited to citizenship ceremonies, following the discovery of fake servicemen last year at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Hamilton, Ont. and Ottawa. Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) says it has has implemented a number of safeguards, including having CIC officials liaise with regional veterans’ associations, verify their records, and prevent dishonourably discharged veterans from participating. “The steps above will ensure that [Canadian Armed Forces] members and veterans may continue to play an important role in welcoming new citizens to the Canadian family, while ensuring that incidents such as the one referenced does not happen again,” said CIC spokeswoman Nancy Caron.
Donald Lemmond received a suspended sentence and 12 months probation after pleading guilty to unlawful use of military uniforms and medals.
Stolen Valour Canada received a number of inquiries based on photos of him wearing Canadian Medals and both Canadian and US parachutist insignia.
Through the use of open source research including websites, newspaper articles, photographic images, searchable data bases of medal recipients and extracts from online military documents in Canada, SVC has found Zedner has made the following claims.
*Joined the Army in 1968,
*He was as a “Gunnery Sergeant” in the US Army in Vietnam where he was wounded in action,
*Claims to have been an Infantryman with 1st Bn The RCR, his 11 years of service included a tour with the “Peace Corp” in Cyprus,
*Was a fully qualified parachutist and proudly wears Canadian and US jump wings along with military free fall / HALO wings,
*He appears to forgotten his Canadian Peace Keeping Service Medal which would logically accompany the UNFICYP Medal,
*There is no evidence of a Purple Heart Medal despite his public claims, and
*Zedner also wears he the ubiquitous Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal without being on the list of recipients (GG.ca)…
Prior to investing any research effort into what could become an unfounded wild goose chase, we contacted Mr Zedner, on 2 November 2017, in order to provide him with an opportunity to sort out the reported situation.
What we have learned:
*Zedner was in his school’s audio-visual club in 1968, making it quite difficult to be in the US Army as he has claimed!
*He is NOT a US Army combat wounded veteran,
*He never served in Vietnam,
He was an Infantryman in a Toronto based Royal Regiment of Canada in the 1970s,
*He was never trained as a parachutist on either side of the border,
*He has no entitlement to the Eight Pointed Star of The RCR,
*He has no lawful entitlement to the UNFICYP Medal nor the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
Through an intermediary, ex Corporal / Mr Ashley William ZEDNER has now surrendered the medals and insignia that he wore without lawful authority (11 Jan 2018). The surrendered items include a maroon beret, RCR hat badge, US and Canadian parachutist wings, Military Free-fall / HALO wings and the UN Forces in Cyprus Medal.
Arrangements will be made to have the items disposed of in an appropriate manner.
He did not surrender the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
