Death
Sir Norman was killed aged 86, alongside his son James, watching television in the library of their home, Tynan Abbey, on the evening of 21 January 1981, by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, armed with machine guns and grenades.
The Stronge family's home was then burnt to the ground as a result of two bomb explosions. On seeing the explosions at the house (and a flare Stronge lit in an attempt to alert the authorities), the Royal Ulster Constabulary and British Army 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 twenty minutes in which at least two hundred shots were fired. There were no casualties among the security forces. The bodies of the father and son were later discovered in the library of their blazing home, each had gunshot wounds in the head.
It is not known who died first, Sir Norman or James. Under the legal fiction known as the doctrine of survival, James is still listed as succeeding to the baronetcy.
Sir Norman was buried in Tynan Parish church in a joint service with his son. The sword and cap of the Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone (Major John Hamilton-Stubber) were placed on his coffin in lieu of his own, which had been destroyed with his other possessions in the fire. The coffin was carried by the 5th Battalion the Royal Irish Rangers, the successors to his old regiment. During the service a telegram, sent from Queen Elizabeth II 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. | ” |
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—Elizabeth II |
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The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Humphrey Atkins, was informed by friends of the Stronge family that he would not be welcome at the funeral because of government policy on border security. Atkins left the Northern Ireland Office later that year to be replaced by Jim Prior.
Sir Norman is commemorated with a tablet in the assembly chamber in the Parliament Buildings at Stormont.
Read more about this topic: Norman Stronge
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