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Sir Charles Norman Lockhart Stronge, 8th Baronet PC, MC (23 July 1894 – 21 January 1981) was born in Bryansford, County Down, speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament for 23 years, an Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament (Mid-Armagh 1938-1969), Lord Lieutenant of Armagh (1939-1981), President of the Northern Ireland Council of the Royal British Legion, and Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution. He was killed in 1981 at Tynan Abbey, his home.
Family Life and Career
Stronge was educated at Eton. In the First World War he served with the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, as Lieutenant and later as Captain. He was decorated with the Military Cross and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. After the Battle of the Somme began he was the first soldier mentioned in despatches by Lord Haig.
He was also a member of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland and, in latter years, farmed the family's several thousand acre estate.
He was married to Gladys Olive Hall and had issue:
- James Stronge. Killed with his father.
- Daphne Marian Stronge. Married Mr Thomas Kinghan.
- Evelyn Elizabeth Stronge
- Rosemary Diana Stronge (died as a child)
Death
After his retirement from politics in 1969, Stronge was killed, alongside his son James, by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in the library of his home, Tynan Abbey, on the evening of 21st January 1981. Stronge was murdered as a reprisal for sectarian killings of Catholics (with which he had no connection) and because he was a leading Orangeman. The Stronge family's home was then burnt to the ground. The bodies of the father and son were later recovered from their blazing home..
On seeing the explosions at the house (and a flare Stronge lit in an attempt to alert the authorities), policemen and British troops arrived at the scene and established a road-block at the gate lodge. They encountered at least eight fleeing gunmen. There followed a gunfight lasting 20 minutes in which at least 200 shots were fired. There were no casualties among the security forces.
He is presumed to have been succeeded to the Baronetcy by his son James, who was killed alongside him. , albeit only briefly.
Stronge was burried in Tynan Parish church, at his funeral a telegram sent from the Queen (to one of Sir Norman's daughters) was read, it stated; "I was deeply shocked to learn of the tragic death of your father and brother; Prince Philip joins me in sending you and your sister all our deepest sympathy on your dreadful loss. Sir Norman's loyal and distinguished service will be remembered".
See also
External links
References
- ARMAGH, CENTRAL ARMAGH
- 'The Green Book: I' from 'The IRA' by Tim Pat Coogan (1993)
- Biographies of Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons
- http://www.iraatrocities.fsnet.co.uk/stronge.htm
- Burke's Peerage & Baronetage. 1975.
- IRA Atrocities
| Parliament of Northern Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by(not known) | Member of Parliament for Mid-Armagh 1938–1969 |
Succeeded bySir James Stronge, Bt |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byThe Viscount Brookeborough | Father of the House 1968–1969 |
Succeeded byTerence O'Neill |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded byCharles Stronge | Baronet (of Tynan) 1939–1981 |
Succeeded byJames Stronge |