Charles John Colbran was born on 30 December 1884 in Ore, Sussex to Thomas William and Mary Jane Colbran (née Cooper). He joined  the Royal Navy on 1 March 1900 at HMS IMPREGNABLE in Devonport. On 26 September 1901 he joined the cruiser HMS POMONE as Boy 1st Class and was awarded the Africa General Service Medal there for service in Somaliland, serving on the ship until 24 August 1904. He joined HMS H5 on 22 October 1915 and his award of the DSM was announced in the London Gazette of the 5 September 1916; awarded for his part in H5’s successful attack on the German U51.

Charles Colbran married Hilda Louise Hutson in 1915. Their daughter Sylvia was born the following year. He is Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel 28.