Harry enlisted on 3rd January 1905. He was 19 years and 4 months old, and was a Plumber/Labourer by trade. He saw previous service in Crete 13th February 1908 to 21st January 1909, and in Malta, 22nd January 1909 to 7th April 1913. During this time, on 1st April 1912, he was appointed Lance Corporal. On 22nd November 1913 he gained promotion to Corporal. He entered the war in France on 12th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers. On 20th August 1914 he gained further promotion to the rank of Serjeant. He returned to the UK on 27th March 1916, and was discharged "no longer physically fit for war service" on 4th August 1917.