Harold flower was born in Ston Easton near Shepton Mallet in 1899. His parents were Ernest Charles and Fanny Langfield (née Gare). His mother was born in Sydney, Australia.

From census records it appears that Harold spent much of his childhood away from his family. In 1901, when he was only two years old, he and his elder brothers, Norris and Ernest, were living with their grandparents in Shepton Mallet. His grandfather was a grocer and shopkeeper who also employed a domestic servant. In 1911 Harold’s parents and brothers, and his three sisters, Phyllis, Daphne and Ivy, were all living in Corsham at Easton Farm, but Harold, aged 12, was at boarding school at the College in Clevedon.

Harold’s grandfather died in 1913, before Harold and his brothers enlisted for service in the war. Ernest and Norris joined the Wiltshire Regiment, but Harold joined the Royal Flying Corps.

Harold enlisted on 5th March 1917 and tragically died in hospital in Aylesbury only three weeks later, on 28th March 1917. He was only 18 years old. His body was brought home to Corsham to be buried in Corsham Cemetery. His sister Daphne died in the same year aged just 13 and is buried with her brother.

Harold’s brothers both survived the war. Norris was a Captain in the Wiltshire Regiment and was a prisoner of war in Russia, Ernest was a Captain who served with the Wiltshire Yeomanry and the Wiltshire Regiment.

Harold’s parents continued to live at Easton Farm in Corsham; his mother Fanny died in 1927 and his father Ernest in 1943.