Harold was the eldest son of William and Lizzie Fishpool. William was a printer and in 1911 he had two brothers Frank aged 6 and Albert 4 and the family lived at 9 Southview Terrace, a 5 roomed house off New Cross Road.

Harold joined the Home service soon after war was declared in November 1914. He was 18 years old and 5ft 5 inches in height – average for that time.

He served in France from 1914 to 1917 with the 4th Lincs Expeditionary Force and while in France he suffered from trench fever.

When he was demobbed in September1918 he married Kate Manning and moved to 22 Foundry Road.