Maj Gen Holmes who was found hanged at home after losing his job and marriage ...

Maj Gen Holmes who was found hanged at home after losing his job and marriage ...
Maj Gen Holmes who was found hanged at home after losing his job and marriage ...

By Jacob Thorburn for MailOnline

The new head of the Royal Marines has written to senior colleagues warning that the death of his predecessor is 'driving a wedge' between the Royal Navy and its fighting troops.

Lieutenant General Rob Magowan (above) warned senior colleagues the death of his predecessor is 'driving a wedge' between the Royal Navy and its fighting troops

Lieutenant General Rob Magowan (above) warned senior colleagues the death of his predecessor is 'driving a wedge' between the Royal Navy and its fighting troops

An inquest heard yesterday that Major General Matthew Holmes was found hanged at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, on October 2 after having 'concerns' about his career and his marriage.

Maj Gen Holmes, 54, who had served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, was Commandant General Royal Marines from 2019 until April this year.

He commanded 42 Commando Royal Marines from 2006 to 2008 and was appointed as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership on operations in Afghanistan in 2007.

The father-of-two was also awarded a CBE in 2019 and has been described as 'one of our most senior and highly decorated Royal Marines'.

It comes after a war of words raged over Navy top brass mudslinging surrounding his death, with relatives said to have been angered by naval officials who raced to 'settle scores and pass the buck' over his mental health.

The funeral for the 54-year-old is being held today at Winchester Cathedral. It will be attended by his widow, Lea, and a gathering of 600 people, including senior naval officers.

In a letter first reported in the Daily Telegraph, Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, Commandant General Royal Marines (CGRM), wrote that Maj Gen Holmes, who was a pall-bearer at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, was in a 'bad place' following the loss of his 'dream job'.

Referring to the colours of the shirts worn by the Navy and the Marines, Lt Gen Magowan said: 'The 'dispute' is serving to drive a wedge between white shirts and lovat, which helps nobody.

'It is making my job harder as CGRM. I'll manage that but it is also impacting the serving Corps, just as we mature an integrated relationship across the Navy in pursuit of the Future Commando Force.'

He added: 'The focus this coming week is to celebrate Matt's amazing career, and to support his family. Anything else is a straight distraction. So I am asking all of us to work together, for Matt, his family and the Corps.'

It is understood that disputes with the Senior Service

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