Death of ex-Royal Marine Maj Gen Holmes is 'driving a wedge' between elite troops and navy

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 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. In a letter first reported in the Daily Telegraph, Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, Commandant General Royal Marines, 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'. A Royal Navy spokesman said the service would not comment on the letter and said it was focusing on providing support to Maj Gen Holmes' family at the time of his funeral.