Soldier found dead at barracks

Police say the death at the Royal Citadel is not suspicious

An investigation is being held into the death of a soldier whose body was found in Plymouth.

Bombardier Steven Walmsley, 28, from Wigan, was serving with the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

He was found dead on Saturday afternoon in his accommodation block at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth.

Bombardier Walmsley, who had served in the Royal Marines for 12 years, had fought in the recent war in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

'Tragic circumstances'

He was promoted from Lance Bombardier to Bombardier last Friday, said an Army spokesman.

A spokesman for the Plymouth Coroner said an inquest into the death of the soldier had been opened and adjourned.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: "It is a possibility the death was drink-related, but that cannot be confirmed until the post-mortem has taken place."

An Army spokesman said the soldier died "in very tragic circumstances".

He said an investigation by the coroner was under way and the Army was co-operating fully, adding that Bombardier Walmsley was a "highly professional and dedicated soldier".