THE State branch of the Queensland RSL is investigating an uproar at the Southport sub-branch about its president wearing allegedly inappropriate medals and claims he sent out inflammatory emails.

Investigators with the Australian and New Zealand Military Imposters group have put Southport RSL president Laurie Pollard on their site after accusing him of wearing a so-called ASIO medal which they regard as a “trinket”.

Mr Pollard told the site operators that although the medal was not yet part of Australia’s Honours and Awards system, it was an official Commonwealth Medal awarded to him and federal authorities concluded he had a right to wear it.

The imposters site replied that “the ASIO medal that Pollard wears doesn’t exist, therefore he has taken upon himself to have one made”.

The site has also posted an email from Mr Pollard where they allege he has questioned “the integrity” of Queensland RSL president Terry Meehan.

media_camera Queensland branch president Terry Meehan.

Coast RSL sources said Mr Pollard was not wearing the ASIO medal when he appeared at a Korean war veterans service at the Cascade Gardens on July 28.

But a Southport RSL source told the Gold Coast Bulletin there were ongoing investigations by the Queensland RSL about claims made by Mr Pollard about his service.

“The RSL is also investigating a widely distributed email sent out by Mr Pollard on the eve of the recent RSL State general meeting and election,” the source added.

A returned serviceman who was a member of the Southport RSL contacted the Bulletin yesterday furious about the recent medal drama.

“I’m just sick and tired of these guys in there. These are the guys who are supposed to be running the RSL,” he said.

Mr Pollard told the Bulletin: “The State branch addressed the issue with me over a month ago. Whilst I take the view I’m entitled to wear the medal, because there is some ambiguity about it, I took it off.”