THE new head of the Royal Marines warned senior colleagues a wedge is being driven between sections of the Royal Navy.
Hours later, 600 people attended the funeral at Winchester Cathedral of Major General Matthew Holmes, 54, who was found hanged at home this month.
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Major General Matthew Holmes, 54, was found hanged at home this month Credit: MoD 3
600 people attended his funeral at Winchester Cathedral Credit: PA
Lt Gen Rob Magowan, who took charge of the Marines, said the way the relationship between Maj Gen Holmes and head of the Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, was “being publicly portrayed” and was causing “upset”.
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 occurred between October last year and February while the organisation went through a management restructure which lead to Maj Gen Holmes being superseded.
A naval source told the PA news agency: "The CGRM wrote to say that changes were made for the greater good of the naval service and we must all get behind them to ensure the naval service continues to provide a fantastic service to the country."
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Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, General Sir Nick Carter, the outgoing Chief of the Defence Staff and First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin look on as the hearse carrying the coffin of Major General Matthew Holmes leaves Winchester Cathedral Credit: PA If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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