Military historian faked time in Army

John Livesey, 57, known as Jack, told friends and colleagues he had served with distinction in the Parachute Regiment and that he had been awarded a medal for gallantry.

The respected historian, who worked at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, won the admiration of genuine veterans.

He claimed he had seen action in the Falklands War and carried out six tours of Northern Ireland.

In fact his Army career amounted to a stint in the Catering Corps between 1971 and 1974.

The truth began to unfold when he was convicted of a £30,000 benefit fraud in 2004.

Investigations following this conviction found references submitted by senior military veterans were based on false claims made by Livesey.

Among those who provided references was Major Gordon Corrigan, who served in the Royal Gurkha Rifles and was made an MBE in 1995.

Giving evidence at Peterborough Crown Court, he said he “felt a fool” that he had misled the court but it “was not deliberate”.

During his trial Livesey admitted making up his Army career but denied perverting the course of justice.

He said he did not remember the references being submitted in court.

Livesey said he constructed a “fantasy world” to compensate for his early discharge from the Army on medical grounds.

His partner, Bridget Pollard, gave evidence saying she had compiled the references and, at the time, was taken in by Livesey’s claims.

She told the court she stood by him and added: “We just want this trial over so that we can get on with our lives – whatever happens, we will be able to get on with our lives.”

The jury found Livesey guilty after three hours of deliberation.

Adjourning sentencing until August 26, Judge Nic Madge said that misleading the courts was a serious offence.

Livesey was released on bail.