Uniforms and Decorations Act 1944

[10 November 1944]

[preamble and words of enactment omitted]

Interpretation

1 In this Act "Forces", used in relation to Her Majesty or any for eign Power, means the naval, military or air forces of Her Majesty or the foreign Power, as the case may be.

Unauthorized wearing of uniform or insignia an offence

2 (1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who, not being autho rized to do so—

(a) wears the uniform of any of Her Majesty's Forces, or of the United States Forces, or of the Forces of any other foreign Power, or of the Bermuda Police Service, or of the Reserve Police or of a special constable; or any part of any such uniform bearing the distinctive marks of such uniform; or any distinctive badge or emblem ap pertaining to any such uniform as aforesaid; or

(b) wears any insignia, medal, bar or clasp appertaining to Her Majesty's Forces, or to the United States Forces or to the Forces of any other foreign Power, or the ribbon of any such decoration or medal; or

(c) wears any insignia, decoration, medal or ribbon apper taining to any Order of Chivalry instituted or recognized by Her Majesty or by any foreign Power, or any other decoration or medal instituted or recognized by Her Majesty or by any foreign Power, or the ribbon of any such other decoration or medal; or

(d) wears any dress, article or thing so closely resembling any such uniform, article or thing as aforesaid as to be calculated to deceive,

commits an offence against this Act.

(2) Subject as hereinafter provided, subsection (1) shall not ap ply in relation to the wearing of—

(a) any badge or emblem of any of Her Majesty's Forces or the United States Forces or the Forces of any other for eign Power, where the badge or emblem is worn solely as an ornament; or

(b) any article or thing resembling or intended to represent any such badge or emblem as aforesaid, where the arti cle or thing is worn solely as an ornament; or

(c) any such uniform, decoration, medal, insignia, badge, emblem, or other article or thing as is mentioned in sub section (1), where the wearing is solely for the purposes of a theatrical performance, masquerade or similar per formance or entertainment:

Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to ex cept from subsection (1) the wearing of any uniform, decoration or medal appertaining to Her Majesty's Forces or to the United States Forces, or the ribbon of any such decoration or medal, or anything having the ap pearance of any such uniform, decoration, medal or ribbon, in such a manner or in such circumstances as to bring contempt or ridicule upon that uniform, decoration or medal.

[section 2 amended by 1997 : 37 effective by notice in Official Gazette]

False representation as to right to wear uniform or insignia

3 Any person who falsely represents himself to be a person who is entitled to wear any such uniform, decoration, medal, insignia, badge or emblem as is mentioned in section 2(1), commits an offence against this
Act.

Unauthorized use of title of rank an offence

4 Any person who, not being duly authorized to do so—

(a) assumes or uses any title or rank appertaining to Her Majesty's Forces, or to the United States Forces or to the Forces of any other foreign Power; or

(b) assumes or uses any title, or any letters after his name, indicating that he possesses any rank or dignity recog nized by Her Majesty or by any foreign Power, or that he possesses any such decoration or medal as is mentioned in section 2(1),

commits an offence against this Act.

Criminal proceedings

5 (1) A prosecution for an offence against this Act shall not be in stituted without the permission in writing of the Attorney-General.

(2) Where any person commits an offence against this Act:

Punishment on summary conviction: imprisonment for 3 months or a fine of $840 or both such imprisonment and fine.

[Amended by:
1951 : 87
1997 : 37]

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Bermuda Consolidated Legislation

Uniforms and Decorations Act 1944