Chris Strong RAF

[Wholigan]

I have just heard that Chris passed away suddenly on Monday 16th. The family have arranged a memorial service for him on Friday the 27th of July at 1200 hrs at St Peter's Church, St Mary Bourne (just north east of Andover, Hampshire). Reception afterwards at the village hall across the road.
They asked that his ex-RAF friends be informed and hope as many as can will make it.

The nearest Sat Nav postcode is SP11 6BW.

[MPN11]

Is that the mustachioed ex-OC 20 Sqn (Singapore, late 60s) and later OC Air Force Ops Room at MoD?

[colt1369]

Sadly -Yes. Where you at Tengah in the 60s in ATC?

[MPN11]

Sadly -Yes. Where you at Tengah in the 60s in ATC?
Yes, 67-70, and I was also 20 Sqn's ATC Liaison Officer. So I spent a fair amount of time in their Crewroom, and discussing 'issues' with Chris (there were very few, TBH). Very nice and approachable from an ATC fg off's perspective!

And then, come GW1, I get deployed into AFOps in MB, and blow me down ... there he was! We had time for a bit of nostalgia, but I was covering the nights and he worked normal days so face-time was a bit limited.

RIP, Chris ... a pleasure to have known you.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1852x1424/img169_ba6dcb94323f4d376540462bfe90962bb80a21a4.jpg

Chris and OC Fg Wg, Wg Cdr M W P K, in the "Pigs Bar” at Tengah c. 1968.

[Pontius Navigator]

OC Ops Lossie?

Sat next to him on a DanAir flight in to Inverness. Heavy landing and pilot blamed RAF for curtailed circuit. CS had a damaged back after ejecting and was furious at FanFare blaming RAF.

[Tengah6871]

I also remember Chris from Tengah 1968-71. A true 'gent' who always treated air traffickers like human beings! He stayed on in Singapore on secondment to the fledgling Singapore Air Force (then called Air Defence Command). He was the first CO of their first fighter squadron flying Hunters.

You can’t use the Private Messaging system, add url links or images until you have an established posting history.

[MPN11]

Tengah6871 ... that’s the measure of a nice officer!

PM me, please, we must have overlapped.

(Your edit noted ... OK, one day, please!)

[LOMCEVAK]

I remember Chris when he was OC Ops at Lossiemouth when I was a student there on 2 TWU in 1978/9. As I recall from training days, OC Ops was not a person who usually had much contact with students but Chris was a really pleasant, sociable person who mixed in with us well and was very popular. I will never forget a very amusing tale from him of his conversion to the Single Pioneer when on 20 Squadron and his subsequent flying of FAC tasks in it.

Sadly, I am out of the country for his Memorial Service or I would have gone to say farewell to a fine gentleman and character. RIP, Chris.

[MPN11]

Ah, 20 Sqn, the last RAF Fighter Sqn to operate a single engined piston aircraft!

They were indeed used as FAC ac, and the guys could transfer to C Flt once they were Op on the Hunter. I photographed Peter Squire receiving his SPin Op Pot on the jungle strip at Gemas in Malaya, but I’m damned if I can find the photo now :(

[MPN11]

PS. Following a redirected email from the last century, “Hello Jules!” Small world and long memories!!

And hello again Tengah6871 ... glad we share emails!!

[babil]

I remember Chris from a much earlier time - he was a young Flying Officer on 72 Squadron flying Meteors in 1955 - I have a photo of him from that time but cannot post it (too much of a technical challenge!!!)
RIP Chris.

[colt1369]

Looking for more photos of Chris to give to Chris's family at his memorial on the 27th July. MPN11s photo of Chris receiving his Op pot from Mile Knight in the Tengah Stag bar is great. Any with him and aircraft would be even better. I have the 20 Sqn official pics sitting on a Hunter and lined up in front of Hunters and Single Pins..

[Fixed Cross]

I sat opposit Chris in the MOD Main Bldg Jaguar Ops office (75-76) keeping each other sane telling old "Hunter" stories. However, our greatest contribution to staff activity was to be instrumental in getting Chivenor reopened! I will not forget the party that followed.

[Mortmeister]

I sat opposit Chris in the MOD Main Bldg Jaguar Ops office (75-76) keeping each other sane telling old "Hunter" stories. However, our greatest contribution to staff activity was to be instrumental in getting Chivenor reopened! I will not forget the party that followed.

I read with interest the stories of those who knew him, he was evidently one of those 'gentleman' officers of the old school, who airmen like me always looked up to. I did not know Chris, but if he was instrumental in getting Chivenor re-opened, then I wish to pay my respects to him! I spent six fabulous years there on 63 and 19(R) Squadrons, where I met my wife of now 30 years.

RIP sir, you have my eternal gratitude!

Regards
Mortmeister

[BEagle]

Indeed, Mortmeister!

I was on the first of the Chivenor Hawk courses on 63 Sqn in 1980 after Heaven-in-Devon reopened, then held there before I was posted to Coningsby in Mar 1981.

Despite the primitive living conditions, it was a very happy station. So thank you, Chris and RIP!

[jindabyne]

Four duals on 234 Squadron, Chivenor, 1964. RIP Chris.

[RodfjH]

Brilliant guy. RIP Chris.

[MPN11]

colt1369 ... dug out another one for you. Op Pot time. Oh, what were their names?? Phil Dacre on the right? And is that Stu Lumsden?

....oh, so long ago!!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1853x1326/img170_ac73bb479a617ae4a97101e43b2a6060b0be9136.jpg

[MPN11]

and another Op Pot ... name forgotten. Before and After ...

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1279x1806/img172_1a4a59df1cf13732ea3ed6f68c6c3bdeb6fd55e7.jpg

Aiming for the door to the car park ...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1153x1687/img173_76cf4516cdae9257e70e90766c518796cf749ae6.jpg

Made it!

[MPN11]

My apologies for awful photo quality. It was a little Minolta pocket camera [like 007 would have used] and loaded with 20's 16mm gun camera film [thanks, 20!].

[colt1369]

Many thanks MPN11 for further pic of Chris. Stu L (he must have been a Flying Officer longer than me!) is receiving his Op Pot the other will be at the service on Friday, initials JGS! I'll show him the pic. Phil D had gone by then. The other pic is of JD sadly killed in a Hunter crash at Valley post 20 Sqn. (Not sure of Pprune rules regarding full names of people so putting initials instead!)

[Vampiredave]

It would appear that Chris Strong was also a keen aerobatic pilot: 111 Sqn 'Black Arrows' 1960; 92 Sqn 'Blue Diamonds' 1961 / 1962; 229 OCU 'Black Dragons' 1963. I think that he was a member of the 20 Squadron Hunter 'team' while at Tengah?

[MPN11]

Many thanks MPN11 for further pic of Chris. Stu L (he must have been a Flying Officer longer than me!) is receiving his Op Pot the other will be at the service on Friday, initials JGS! I'll show him the pic. Phil D had gone by then. The other pic is of JD sadly killed in a Hunter crash at Valley post 20 Sqn. (Not sure of Pprune rules regarding full names of people so putting initials instead!)
Pleased to help in a blurred photographic (and mental) manner!!

JGS ... I’m poking the brain cell and failing! When you’re PM-capable, do please tell me! And tend my apologies to him!!
JD ... how sad. Nice guy, from my recollection. Same surname as a Coronation Street character?

Assuming you’re JL, you are welcome to email me via Lord Colin of Torquay, who has my address!

[MPN11]

Glass raised at noon, Chris. Apologies for using wine instead of Tiger! Fly safe up there.

... and thanks JL for the email!

[DuncanMitchell]

Looking for more photos of Chris to give to Chris's family at his memorial on the 27th July. MPN11s photo of Chris receiving his Op pot from Mile Knight in the Tengah Stag bar is great. Any with him and aircraft would be even better. I have the 20 Sqn official pics sitting on a Hunter and lined up in front of Hunters and Single Pins..

I was a young 20 year old Engine Fitter on 20 Squadron from 1969 to 70. Chris Strong was a well liked and respected squadron commander. The official pics you mentioned of the aircraft lined up behind the squadron members was taken in December 1969. I was the unfortunate airman to tow all the Hunters into position for the photo, of which I still have a copy. I have fantastic memories of 20 Squadron, RAF Tengah and Singapore. 54 years ago, wow, where has time gone.