Wing Commander Colin Morris Ardagh Strathy, QC was born in Toronto on 7 August 1906, son of Honorary Major Gerard Brakenridge Strathy, Canadian Army Medical Corps (who had served in the QOR 1895-1901) and Mabel Theodora Kirkpatrick (sister of Colonel A.J.E. Kirkpatrick who commanded the QOR 1922-1925.) He attended Trinity College School in Port Hope, followed by the Royal Military College in Kingston (No. 1762.) His brother (who also attended RMC) was Colonel James Cowan Kirkpatrick Strathy.

On 25 August 1935 he married Ethel Margaret Bate at St Georges Church, Toronto.

During the late 1920’s and early 30’s he served with The Queen’s Own Rifles as an officer.

In 1940 he was appointed Deputy Judge Advocate General for the Air Force. In 1945 then Group Captain C.M.A. Strathy of the JAG’s office was a member of a sub-committee of the War Crimes Advisory Committee that drafted regulations to govern war crimes trials by Canadian courts martial.

He died 2 April 1982 in Toronto.