Early Life and Military Service
Sir Norman was born in Bryansford, County Down, Ireland, the son of Sir Charles Stronge, 7th Baronet and Marian Bostock, whose family were from Epsom. He was educated at Eton.
In the First World War he served in France and Flanders 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. He survived the first day of the Battle of the Somme and was the first soldier after the start of the battle to be mentioned in despatches by Lord Haig. In April 1918, he was appointed adjutant of the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was wounded, whilst near Kortrijk, on 20 October 1918. He relinquished his commission on 19 August 1919, and was permitted to retain the rank of captain.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, he was again commissioned, this time into the North Irish Horse, Royal Armoured Corps, reverting to second lieutenant. He relinquished the commission on 20 April 1940 due to ill-health. In 1950 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of a Territorial Army unit of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
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