Philip was born on 12 October 1917 in London to Russian born parents Maurice Emanuel (Mannie) and Zilla née Levy and had an older sister Lily. In 1939, the family were living at 170 Alexandra Road, Hampstead and Philip’s father Maurice worked as a translator.

He volunteered for the RAF at the start of the war and trained as an air gunner before transferring to 158 Squadron, which was based at RAF Driffield. Philip was an air gunner on Halifax W7745 which departed RAF East Moor on an operation to Dusseldorf. The aircraft was hit by flak on the return journey and crashed into the sea. Philip’s body was never found.

Pilot, Sqn Ldr P.B. Robinson DFC, 36274, buried Oostende cemetery, Belgium.
Second Pilot, F/Sgt. A.J. Sutton 1290835, buried Harlingen cemetery, washed up Dijksterburen hamlet at Kimswerd on 12 October
F/E Sgt. G.A. Smith 569386, Runnymede Memorial
Nav P/O. W.A. Thomas, 130101, buried Adegem RCAF war cemetery, Belgium.
B/A F/Sgt. J.G.E. Davis 1375106, Runnymede Memorial
W/Op A/G F/Sgt. G.L. Ellsworth R/66341 RCAF buried Oostende cemetery, Belgium.
A/G P/O. A.H. Hanson DFC, 117148, buried Middelkerke cemetery, Belgium
A/G Philip Silverman, Runnymede Memorial; panel 76