Philip Colbourne

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Peterborough branch

Died: 5 October 1944

Philip James Bird Colbourne, known by his colleagues as 'Coley', was born on 4 August 1910, the son of Edwin and May Colbourne. He was educated at Laxton Grammar School, Oundle and Bridlington School. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Thrapston branch in September 1928. He was promoted to junior clerk in December 1928 and to clerk in January 1931. He moved to Bristol branch in November 1935 and to Peterborough branch in February 1938. Outside work he was an enthusiastic sportsman, playing cricket, football and, above all, golf; a colleague later recalled, 'his game was typical of his fine character - always straight down the middle'. 

In July 1940 Colbourne left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He served for more than three years in the Middle East, and later in Continental Europe. Private Colbourne died in a British hospital in North West Europe on 5 October 1944 from wounds received in action. He was 34 years old and left a widow, Mollie, whom he had married at the end of 1943.