Harry was born on 26 April 1913 in London as Harris Patrunin to Russian born parents Morris Patrunin and Esther nee Hemelriche and he was the youngest of seven children. Their father worked as a ladies tailor presser.

Harry married Bessie Goldstein in January 1939, and they lived at 282 Amhurst Road, Hackney. Harry worked as a foreman in a military clothing factory and Bessie was a gents tailor. Harry enlisted at Cardington in April 1940.

Harry was the wireless operator/air gunner on Whitley Z6940 which departed RAF Tempsford on a Special Duties operation. The aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Helmut Bergmann of the 7./NJG 4, who was flying a Bf 110 from Juvincourt airfield and crashed close to Boulogne.
All six crew members rest in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

W/Op, Alan Richard Ashford, 1148934.
Pilot,Frank McLeod MacDonald, RCAF R/86838.
Nav, Michael Robert Symonds, 126506.
Pilot, James David Walls, 1061883.
Obs, Walter Ernest Ruskin Wright, 1293291.