Harold was born around 1899 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and lived there with his siblings and parents, Frank and Elizabeth. 

Harold embarked to France in 1916 and fought with the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), 20th Division. He would have fought in the Battles of the Somme in 1916, followed by fighting throughout 1917 on the Hindenburg Line, Third Battles ofr Ypres and the Cambrai Operations. It was likely during the Battle of Cambria that Harold was wounded in action, and sent to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station where he would die of his woulds on 2nd February 1918. 

He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

Rachel Ayres