Royal Black Institution to mark 40th anniversary of murders of Sir Norman Stronge and son James

Sir Norman Stronge, a former sovereign grand master, and his son James were shot dead at their home by the IRA on January 21, 1981.

The IRA gang then firebombed the property, Tynan Abbey in Co Armagh, with the resulting blaze leaving the historic building in ruins.

Several events are planned to mark the anniversary of the killings which the institution’s current Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson strongly condemned.

“The heinous murders of the highly respected Sir Norman Stronge, an elderly man at the time, and his son, were wicked, despicable and cowardly,” he said.

“The killing of two defenceless men in their own home was, sadly, yet another example of the depravity and blood-lust of the republican killing machine which wreaked havoc and brought misery to countless families throughout the Troubles.

“The emotional wounds from the double murder are still keenly felt by members of our institution, and it is our intention to remember both men with pride and affection in the new year.”

Sir Norman was a member of RBP 264 Breaghey and was sovereign grand master of the Royal Black Institution from 1948 to 1971. He was 86 at the time of his death.

Captain Right Honourable Sir Charles Norman Lockhart Stronge Bart, HML, MC, PC, JP was also a senior Ulster Unionist Party politician.

Before his involvement in politics he served as a junior officer in the Army during the First World War.

He fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and was awarded the Military Cross.

His positions after the war included speaker of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland for 23 years.

James Stronge was also a member of RBP 264 Breaghey. In 1967, he was appointed high sheriff of Armagh. He served as Ulster Unionist MP for Mid Armagh for three years until the prorogation of Stormont in 1972 and as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973-1974.

He was also an officer in the Grenadier Guards. Having withdrawn from political and military life, his main interests were confined to merchant banking and his service as a RUC Reserve constable. He was 48 at the time of his death.

The Royal Black Institution’s memorial events for Sir Norman Stronge and his son will form part of the institution’s ‘Time to Remember’ season.

Rev Anderson added: “The institution’s Stronge Memorial Project will provide a basis around which we can explore and celebrate our country’s rich history.

“The Stronges embodied two principles which have proven to be integral to our country’s character: service and sacrifice.”