Harry was born on 28 December 1914 in Bethnal Green, London to Poland born parents Isaac, a hairdresser, and Annie nee Stone (Stein). Isaac and Annie had eleven children, with Harry being the youngest. Isaac died in 1917 when Harry was three years old.

In 1939, Harry lived at 88 Lordship Park, Stoke Newington with two of his sisters and he worked as a manager at a furniture dealers. Harry enlisted into the Army on 15 August 1940.

In July 1943, Harry married Helen Kaplin in Ely, Cambridgeshire. They had no children.

Harry was a member of the C Troop of the 617 Assault Squadron of the Royal Engineers. He was killed in action in the advance to Venray, (Overloon was liberated on 14 October 1944). Also his Troop Commander, Lt. Henderson, was killed in action.
The C Troop were trying to lay a bridge across the Loobeek (named by the British soldiers as Bloodbeek).
The next day they were initially buried about 1km from the place where they were trying to lay the bridge. (Information courtesy of Theo Vervoort).