Former British Army major to stand trial

A former British Army major accused of strangling his wife to death has been committed to stand trial in Victoria.

David Whitelegg, 54, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to murdering Anne Whitelegg on September 18 last year.

Police went to the couple's Wallan home about three days later, after Whitelegg allegedly phoned a funeral director and said his wife had died unexpectedly.

They found Ms Whitelegg on the kitchen floor with obvious marks on her neck, police documents before the Melbourne Magistrates Court say.

Whitelegg allegedly told officers he found her dead in the garage and dragged her into the kitchen.

In a later statement, he said Ms Whitelegg had left their home after an argument a couple of days earlier and he had not seen her again until discovering her body.

Whitelegg did not apply for bail on Thursday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear in the Supreme Court of Victoria for a directions hearing on Friday.