Harold enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 4th October 1915. He was sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon in Wiltshire where he worked as a clerk.

On 24th October 1917, Harold returned to Suffolk to marry Eleanor Violet Timbers, the daughter of a Woodbridge schoolmaster.

On 1st April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps ceased to exist and Harold was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force. Four months later, in August 1918, Harold and Eleanor’s only child, a son, was born. Harold remained in the RAF after the war was over and was discharged in 1923.

As he did not serve overseas, Harold was not entitled to receive any medals for his war service. He did, however, volunteer to join in the army of occupation in the Rhine immediately after the Armistice was called.

Harold's wife Eleanor died in 1928 and the following year he married Marjorie Priest in Wandsworth, London.

By 1939 the couple was living in Sidegate Avenue in Ipswich and Harold worked for an architect’s practice. At this time, Harold’s son, Peter, was living with his grandparents in Melton. Harold died on 6th June 1954 while living in Felixstowe.