The 54-year-old was found in a bedroom at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, earlier this month, an inquest heard Major General Matthew Holmes welcomes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2020. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time and they have our deepest and heartfelt condolences.. We pay for videos too. The rest of me is a mere appendix. [1], Holmes was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire as part of the 2019 Birthday Honours[13] for his "outstanding contribution to the Royal Marines and to the United Kingdom's defence and security interests". Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Major General Holmes was Commandant General Royal Marines for 20 months from June 2019 but then left the role halfway through what would normally be at least a three-year tenure. matthew kelly wife meggie. His career also included operational tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Iraq. With deepest sympathies.. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. In March 2020 he welcomed Prince Harry, the former Captain General of the Royal Marines, and Meghan Markle to the Mountbatten Festival of Music, before sitting next to them at the Royal Albert Hall in London. [12] Having served only 22 months of the three-year appointment, he was removed from the post on 30 April 2021 due to restructuring of the role into a three-star appointment. He served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. The presenter, 63, who . It matters not that he was a General, but it does that he is a Royal Marine. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. I remember and celebrate him, alongside all those who he is with now. It created a lot of uncertainty and didnt help with his overall situation.. In April, he left his post as Commandant General Royal Marines, after which he took three months leave that was owning to him from his time serving in Afghanistan. It was one of the Sussexes' final engagements in Britain before they stepped down as senior royals and moved to North America. The funeral for the 54-year-old is being held today at Winchester Cathedral. Hampshire Constabulary said an armed unit attended his family home on 22. ", Greek transport minister resigns after deadly train crash, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Matthew Holmes Obituary: In the loving memory of Matthew Holmes, we are saddened to inform you that Matthew Holmes, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. The insider added those phone calls were mainly about his private life rather than work. The circumstances of his death are being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. Major General Matthew Holmes was still a serving officer when he died. MailOnline understands the decision to see him removed from his post in favour of a more senior figure was not made to him in person. Major General Holmes is believed to have taken his own life at his home in Winchester on Saturday afternoon, with neighbours reporting that an ambulance was parked outside into the early hours of the evening. Officers were called just before 3pm to a house in Winchester following the discovery of a mans body, a Hampshire Police spokesman said. 2023 BBC. "But my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with Matts family. 'Sadly, the news doesn't surprise me. We are one family, together, just as we learned, and as we trained, alongside each other at the Commando Training Centre. He had been awarded a CBE in 2019 and was a pallbearer at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor Castle in April. [10] He was then Deputy Adviser to Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior in Kabul, then Senior British Military Representative in Afghanistan from November of the same year. iPhone users claim Apple is trying to TRICK them into Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? [11] In that role, and in the context of the Integrated Review, Holmes oversaw the implementation of the Future Commando Force, the modernisationproject of the Royal Marines;as a component of the programme the Vanguard Strike Company was formed in July 2020. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, described Maj Gen Holmes as a dear friend to many, and a close friend of mine for over 20 years. Major General Holmes 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. Men who served under him have been contacting me and telling me what an amazing, incredible and inspirational man he was. It also emerged that police attended another incident at the home on September 22, in which a shotgun was seized from his home after a concern for welfare call. Their loss is the greatest and most painful: we will be there for them now and always., We mourn the loss of one of our most senior and highly decorated Royal Marines; a devoted former Commandant General who had served the nation, the Royal Navy and his beloved Corps with distinction for 33 years. Major General Matthew Holmes, 54, died suddenly on Saturday in unknown circumstances and tributes have been paid to the former Commandant General. Write your message of sympathy today. Major Holmes was married to his solicitor wife Lea and they had two young children. But earlier this year he left the Commandant General post following plans to 'double-hat' his two-star role with another position, amid defence experts warning that the merger would dilute attention given to the Royal Marines. He added: 'Normally they would attend together but for the last two, neither of them has shown up. Girl, 2, looks star-struck as she presents Kate with a gift of Daffodils for St David's A bargain fit for a king: Grade II-listed manor house complete with barn and gatehouse is listed at auction Who said black and white pics were flattering! Major General Holmes was reported at the time by the Daily Telegraph to have had a 'really significant falling out' with the First Sea Lord, who had argued that the incumbent in future would be a three-star officer. He had more friends than you could count and they all loved him with a passion. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? His. Wetumpka. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. I remember and celebrate him, alongside all those who he is with now. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. "Their loss is the greatest and most painful: we will be there for them now and always. Once a marine, always a marine.. I remember and celebrate him, alongside all those who he is with now. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Major General Matt Holmes CBE,who carried Prince Philip's coffin at his funeral, had been in a 'bad place' before his suspected suicide. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. We've seen him out jogging or walking the dog but not her. and He was appointed as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership on operations in Afghanistan in 2007, receiving the honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Major General Matthew Holmes, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was Commandant General Royal Marines from 2019 until April this year. Matthew F. Holmes, 58, of Jackson Twp., NJ, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022. We are taking this whole thing one day at a time. 'Matt was also a dear friend to many, and a close friend of mine for over 20 years. He will be sorely missed by the Service and especially the Corps Family. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. He was quite a regimented, proud, self-contained man and not very emotional. He served as the Commandant General until the end of April this year. Married father-of-two Major General Matthew Holmes CBE served in all the UK's recent conflicts He was Commandant General Royal Marines for 20 months from June 2019 until April this year Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. The Ministry of Defence has announced that the circumstances of his death are being investigated. She said: "He was courageous and had committed his life to serving in the Royal Marines; he was selfless to such an extent that this was more important than his own career progression.". [18], Holmes' funeral took place on 13 October 2021 at Winchester Cathedral. Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter I could just tell that she wasn't very happy with things'. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Fish and Game Conservation Officer Matt Holmes last June. Major General Matthew John Holmes, CBE, DSO (29 June 1967 - 2 October 2021) was a British senior Royal Marines officer who served for more than three decades in the armed forces. We mourn the loss of one of our most senior and highly decorated Royal Marines; a devoted former Commandant General who had served the nation, the Royal Navy and his beloved Corps with distinction for 33 years.. Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg said he would be requesting details from the Royal Navy about his removal from his position of Commandant General. For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a Samaritans branch. Each time I saw him he appeared really glum and rarely smiled. He was born in Jersey City, NJ, and resided in Freehold Twp., NJ, and North Plainfield, NJ, prior to settling in Jackson Twp., 28 years ago. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. One said: 'Lea worked from home and told me last year how the pressure of the lockdown was putting a strain on her family life. The 54-year-old served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was Commandant General Royal Marines from 2019 until April. View our online Press Pack. Tributes were paid by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the defence secretary following the news of his death. Requiescat in Pace.. Sarah revealed that the family have not finalised plans for the funeral and that she intends to travel from her home in Cornwall to Winchester over the coming day to meet with Lea and the two children she had with Major General Holmes; Nelly and Will. [2], Promoted to major, Holmes graduated from Staff College, receiving his Master of Arts in Defence Studies in 2000. The circumstances surrounding the death of a former head of the Royal Marines over the weekend is being investigated. Moment fitness influencer asks man to move off park bench because he's 'ruining' her livestream video is Head over heels for Kate! 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