Harold was born on 26 June 1916 in Victoria, Australia to Clifton and Rachel Vera nee Harris. Harold had three siblings Keith, Graham and Valerie. Their father Clifton was the managing director of his own company Clifton Joseph Manufacturing which manufactured hats and caps.

Harold enlisted into the RAF on 20 August 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. He was sent to 5 Service Flying Training School at RAF Tern Hill. Harold was a pilot under training in Master N7691 with Flying Officer W. N. Basson. The aircraft crashed injuring Basson and Harold later died of his injuries.

Tragically, Harold’s brother Graham was also killed serving in 467 Squadron RAAF. Graham served as a wireless operator on Lancaster ED737 which departed RAF Bottesford on 16 June 1943 on an operation to Koln. The aircraft was shot down by night fighters. Graham is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. He was 25 years old.