Philip Kirby-Green C.M.G
1905 - 1969
Member of the Pastel Society. Exhibited at the Royal Academy 1959, Royal West of England Academy 1965 - 1968, Royal Institute of Oil Painters 1961 and had work included in many exhibitions abroad including Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Spain, Gibraltar, West Africa and Trinidad.
Born in Nyasaland Philip Kirby-Green achieved a double first in History at Cambridge. He joined the Merchant Navy, and was one of the first intake to Hendon Police College. He joined the Metropolitan Police but was seconded almost immediately to work in MI5 where he remained until his retirement, working mostly for SIME (Security Intelligence, Middle East), very dangerous and secret work. He was awarded Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for services to her Majesty overseas. Philip Kirby-Green died in the hospital close to his home at Coombe House North Wootton Somerset, and was buried in the churchyard there.
Colin Kirby-Green writes: I so was pleased when my late uncle's family agreed to my suggestion to include some of his work in a special section of my website. My uncle Philip would have liked to be known above all as an artist despite his success in his career with the Security Services. As well as his upbringing in Nyasaland and Tangier his work took him to many different parts of the world. All these places inspired him to produce marvellous, colourful, spontaneous pastels and I'm privileged to own a couple of them. Philip's family also produced artists amongst his grandchildren which would have pleased him greatly.
“I am extremely grateful for the friendship and encouragement and all the magnificent help which Philip Kirby-Green has given me through some very anxious times.”
Lord Caradon, GCMG, KCMG, CMG, KCVO, OBE
“Philip Kirby-Green was an exceptional human being and a man who combined a great professional capacity with total integrity, and who was sensitive to all that is beautiful in life. "
Commander Sir Robert Jackson, K.C.V.O., C.M.G., O.B.E.
"I first met Philip when we joined the opening course at Metropolitan Police College, Hendon, in May 1934. He had already had a varied career at RNVR, at the University of Cambridge, as '' commercial artist and police officer, talented and non-conformist by nature, which allowed him to stand out from his fellows; at the same time, a maturity acquired from his past experiences and a capacity for original thinking made a vital contribution to the life of the was recognized as a person of exceptional quality and he was one of the first four officers to leave the College to be promoted to the rank of commander. We are fortunate that as a painter he left a brilliant testimony to the many interests he enjoyed.
"Sir Jack Waldron, CVO, New Scotland yard
"Philip Kirby-Green served with me in the Metropolitan Police. Indeed, he was a good friend whom I always admired. He was highly intelligent, efficient and most courageous especially during the air blitz on London. He was most eager to serve his county in a more active capacity and as a consequence he was seconded to M15 and served in Gibraltar especially to deal with sabotage and espionage, which he did highly efficiently."
Leonard Burt, C.V.O., C.B.E.
"Philip Kirby-Green combined shrewd judgement, sound common-sense and a wide knowledge of everything to do with his job, and he had a great capacity for hard work. He never spared himself and I never knew his advice to be other than most sound. He was a natural artist with great imagination. He had a fine sense of humour which made him also a charming companion. I shall always be grateful to him both for the help he gave me in my problems and the pleasure his friendship gave me over many years."
General Sir Charles Keightley, G.C.B., G.B.E., D.S.O., O.B.E.
"Philip was the most extraordinary and inspiring man I have ever met. He remains in my heart and thoughts - my very best values were received from him and my Grandmother Mimi."
"I went to Exeter and Plymouth Art College in 2003 at the age of 50 and gained a 2.1. BA Hons degree. I know Phipman (as we called him) would have been proud. My son Luke went to Chelsea and Bath Art Colleges and gained his degree in 2002, and is now a painter in British Columbia, Canada."
Michaela Justice, granddaughter
Two oil sketches by Michaela Justice
