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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Britain's biggest Army base is 'overrun by rats' due to overflowing bins and fly-tipping - with even burnt-out cars sitting abandoned behind its gates, soldiers claim
The British army's biggest base has been overrun by rats as overflowing bins, piles of rubbish and even burnt out cars are left to fester behind its gates, soldiers claim. Shocking pictures from inside Catterick Garrison - taken just days after the latest collection was taken away - show huge piles of bin bags spilling from designated disposal areas. Litter - which is supposed to have been collected by North Yorkshire council - lies strewn across the grass lawns under accommodation blocks, an abandoned car with smashed windows sits in a car park and officers within the garrison's wires describe conditions as being 'like a slum'. Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, is the largest British Army base in the world, housing around 13,000 people including military personnel and their families. It is where all infantry soldiers are trained and is home to units from the Intelligence Corps, the Royal Lancers, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Military Police. Colonel Philip Ingram, formerly of the Intelligence Corps, today slammed the situation at Catterick as a 'failure' of the commanders and local council. An officer living in the base, who spoke to MailOnline on the condition of anonymity, said: 'There's mountains of bin bags piling up around the camp and rats everywhere. Litter has blown literally all over the camp outside the accommodation blocks. The bins themselves are all full to the brim - and we had the people come to empty them yesterday. 'The army prides itself on cleanliness, hygiene and discipline. This is my home. waking up every morning and having having to walk past maggots and rats and piles of rubbish. It's just horrible. 'Literally, the first thing that people note when they turn up here now is how poor the situation is, cleanliness wise. 'It's absolutely pushing people to sign off in the force. Our job absolutely has negatives but one of the benefits is meant to be life when you're on camp but at the moment no one wants to be here. 'We as soldiers on the camp are powerless. What do they expect us to do? Take our own rubbish to landfill?' North Yorkshire council are responsible for rubbish collection, the Ministry of Defence said, as they revealed further pest control measures are being put in place. The authority was one of the first in the country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, with the Armed Forces Act 2021 enshrining into law their responsibility to help prevent armed services personnel and veterans from being disadvantaged when accessing public services. But Col Ingram, who formerly was in command of Intelligence Corps on the base, said officers should have been putting more pressure on the council to look after their men. He told MailOnline: 'It's failure in the Catterick commanders to deal with the local council and it's a failure of support from the local council. 'This and so many other incidences around accommodation for our troops, around the food for our troops, about the way our troops are looked after, shows that the Ministry of Defence does not care about its people.' An MoD spokesperson said: 'We are urgently working with the Council, which is responsible for collecting rubbish from the base, so that collections can be made and to ensure a high-quality living and working environment for our personnel. 'In the meantime proactive pest control measures are in place on the site and we are dealing with any issues as they arise.' It comes as Catterick Garrison faces intense scrutiny after a series of incidents from officers at the base. Earlier this month, Staff Sergeant Andrew Oakes, who was in charge of a pre-signed military cheque book, was locked up after it emerged he stole almost £350,000 from the army to buy three Tesla cars, a hair transplant and 'adult services'. An investigation revealed that the defendant had used 125 cheques between December 2023 and May 2024 to drain £336,448 from the MOD's coffers while he was serving in the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion. And last week the widow of a father-of-three soldier who lay decomposing in barracks for three weeks has blasted the Army for the 'unforgiveable' delay in finding his body. Lance Corporal Bernard Morgan was discovered on January 23 2020 in his bedroom at Catterick Garrison following a prolonged period of 'degrading' by senior officers which involved him being 'shouted, screamed and swore at'. A senior coroner ruled it was 'not possible to determine' whether L/Cpl Mongan died from suicide or natural causes and recorded an open conclusion. North Yorkshire Council has been contacted for comment.
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
ARMY CON Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Actor James Yeates, 42, has been accused of 'stolen valour' Credit: Facebook 5 Veterans launched an investigation after a tip off Credit: Facebook Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Read more News FAMILY'S AGONY Mum who tortured son so badly he lost his legs will be freed from jail EARLY Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Brit mum who 'scammed her SON' arrested after victims watched Netflix show Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But furious guests who also attended in March 2024 said an internal investigation was now underway to find out who invited him and whether he was vetted. Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is no record showing their involvement. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to the crown." 5 James was previously jailed for fraud in May 2015 Credit: Instagram 5 Veterans felt disrespected by James' actions and called for a 'stolen valour act' Credit: Instagram 5 James has run several failed businesses Credit: Instagram Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A previous indictment of 30 counts relating to theft was left on file. He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for fraud after spending £7,700 on a credit card that did not belong to him. He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. 5 5 Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But furious guests who also attended in March 2024 said an internal investigation was now underway to find out who invited him and whether he was vetted. Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is no record showing their involvement. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to the crown." 5 5 5 Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A previous indictment of 30 counts relating to theft was left on file. He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for fraud after spending £7,700 on a credit card that did not belong to him. He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. 5 Actor James Yeates, 42, has been accused of 'stolen valour' Credit: Facebook 5 Veterans launched an investigation after a tip off Credit: Facebook Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Read more News Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." Most read in The Sun His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Brit mum who 'scammed her SON' arrested after victims watched Netflix show Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the 5 James was previously jailed for fraud in May 2015 Credit: Instagram 5 Veterans felt disrespected by James' actions and called for a 'stolen valour act' Credit: Instagram 5 James has run several failed businesses Credit: Instagram Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Military intelligence exhibition for Blitz tunnels
The history of military intelligence will be explored as part of a planned tourist attraction in London's World War Two air raid shelter tunnels. As part of its plans to bring the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels to the public, London Tunnels will collaborate with the Museum of Military Intelligence to showcase original artefacts, equipment, weapons and documents. About 8,000 sq m of tunnels under High Holborn were built in 1942 to provide protection during the Blitz. They were later used as a home for a British spy organisation. Angus Murray, CEO, The London Tunnels, said the site was an ideal backdrop to tell the remarkable stories of men and women who played a "vital role in protecting Britain". The tunnels, which featured in the first James Bond novel, have remained unused since they were decommissioned in 1990. The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the espionage operations of the Cold War, the Falklands War, peace-keeping missions and the terrorist threat of the 21st Century. General Sir Jim Hockenhull KBE ADC Gen, Commander of Strategic Command and Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps, said it would be "the world's most authoritative permanent exhibition of military intelligence". The trustees of the Museum of Military Intelligence said the "historically significant and evocative location" would bring the exhibition to life. The Museum of Military Intelligence was founded by the British Army's Intelligence Corps and is now also supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Opening up the 'James Bond' spy tunnels under London Museum of Military Intelligence
