Harold was born on 23 April 1909 in Manchester, Lancashire with the name Harris Rosenberg. His parents were Ephraim Rosenberg and Bertha nee Kaufman and he had an older brother Marcus and a younger sister Frieda. Harold and Marcus changed their surname before 1939. In 1911 the family lived at Petworth Street, Cheetham and Ephraim worked as a commercial traveller selling waterproofs and caps. In 1939 the family were living in Wallasey and Harold was a dealer in boots and shoes. Harold married Dora Barnett in Chester in January 1942 and their daughter Victoria was born later that year.

Harold was the flight engineer on Liberator KH125 which was flying from India to RAF Oakington. On board were five crew and twenty three passengers. The aircraft was flying in a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity. The aircraft was hit by lightning and lost several pieces on its wing before crashing into the ground near Rochefort killing all on board.

Crew:
F/Lt L. J. Slack,
F/Lt E. W. Beech,
F/Lt A. J. Balsom,
W/O S. J. Gillingham,
F/O H. Rowe.
Passengers:
LAC C. C. Baker,
LAC W. R. Birkett,
LAC B. F. Blackbourn,
Sgt H. Bolton,
Bsm T. G. Burch,
Sgt C. Donaldson,
F/Lt W. G. Gibson,
Sgt L. Hainsworth,
Cdr J. G. Halliday,
Bom H. D. Henderson,
Private C. J. John,
Private A. Mitchell,
Gun R. W. Norton,
Private F. J. Parkin,
Gunner S. W. Pearson,
Private I. G. Richards,
Gunner D. Ross,
Gunner C. C. Thompson,
Bom W. E. Turner,
LAC W. Vincent,
Private D. West,
Gunner G. Whitehead,
Cpl E. S. Winslade.