Colin Stamp

(b. 22/12/1917, Twickenham – 10/05/2001, Hammersmith & Fulham, London). Businessman, broadcaster, author. The Honourable Josiah (Jos) Colin Stamp was the third son of Sir Josiah Charles Stamp and was a graduate of Queens’ College Cambridge. During World War II he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and afterwards joined first Barclays Bank and then American Express. He came to South Africa in 1948 and became managing director of the local American Express office. His travel talks were a regular feature on the SABC and he was soon a household name.

Despite his total lack of stage experience, in 1952 Taubie Kushlick persuaded him to star in her production of Pick-Up Girl opposite Marilyn Patterson. He produced at least one travel documentary (entitled A Dream of Greece) for American Express and was the author of a travel book called “Abroad on Sunday Morning”. During his year in South Africa he was at one stage Chairman of the African Children’s Feeding Scheme, as well as of Johannesburg’s Musica Viva Society.

He returned to England in 1971. His father, the 1st Baron Stamp, his wife Lady Olive Stamp and Colin’s oldest brother, William, were all killed during an air raid in April 1941. Colin was married twice, first to Althea Dawes (in 1940) and then to Gillian Tatham (in 1958).