Chris Strong RAF
 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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 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

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!

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

Brilliant guy. RIP Chris.

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.gmf...60b0be9136.jpg

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

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...deb6fd55e7.jpg

Aiming for the door to the car park ...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...96cf749ae6.jpg

Made it!

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!].