Son of Jack Collinson and Gertrude (nee Pitof), known as Gerty, Collinson.

Philip was born in Leeds and came to New Zealand in 1924 at the age of 11 with his mother and three younger sisters, following his father who had immigrated the previous year. His sister Norah married David Simeon Singer, Rose married Allan David Copeland in 1938, and Esther married Frank Albert Pezaro in 1939. Philip's younger brother Harold was born in New Zealand.

Philip married Miriam (nee Fisher) known by friends and family as Midge. They had 3 children: Anna, and twin boys Graeme and David.

Philip's father Jack Collinson opened shops throughout New Zealand making made to measure men's suits. The shops were named “Prices the Taylor” and the company was J. Collinson Ltd. Philip followed his father's footsteps by working at J. Collinson Ltd. In the 1950s Philip closed the shops to start a new venture, The Yorkshire Woollen Company. The business imported cloth for suits and coats. Phil closed the business in 1993 at the age of 81 years. His son David took over the company name of J. Collinson Ltd for his own clothing import business.

Philip loved fishing trout and also loved the sea; the family had a holiday house in Manly, North of Auckland where they spent wonderful summers.

Philip loved nature and bought a farm in Mangere, Abbeville.

Philip restored and built beautiful gardens and he won several Garden Prizes. He was the instigator for the building of Eden Gardens situated by Mt Eden, and also the Laura Ferguson Foundation for rehabilitation.

New Zealand Jewish Soldiers Project, biographical histories, family visits by Evelyn Jaffe, Auckland War Memorial Museum AWMM