Harold was born on 22 April 1912 in London City to French born Jacob and Russian born Fanny nee Brozel and he had an older brother Lionel. Jacob became a naturalised British citizen in June 1911 and was given the Freedom of the City of London in 1912. The family lived at the Rising Sun Public House at 61 Carter Lane, Ludgate where Jacob was the licensed victualler from 1904 until his death in 1927.

Harold married Eileen Goodwin in 1938 in London and they then moved to Bristol where Harold worked as a journalist for the BBC before he enlisted in 1940. Their son was born in 1942.

Harold was a flying instructor at 4 EFTS based at RAF Bellasize. He was on board Tiger Moth T7777 which was struck by Tiger Moth N9189. T7777 was either parked on the ground awaiting take off or had just taken off when it was struck by N9189. The wreckage of both aircraft caught fire and as a result three airmen died.

Flying Instructor, F/Lt Kenneth Reavley Mason, 66563, aged 29.

Flying Instructor, F/O Harold Rathbone, 112726.

Tiger Moth N9189 was attempting to overshoot a landing at Brough but collided with Tiger Moth T7777 either on the ground or in the air just after N9189 had left the ground.

Pilot, Sgt John James Cooper, 1214085, aged 20.