Harold Charles Rowe was born on 28 September 1895, the seventh son of George and Elizabeth Rowe of Aelybyn, Morriston. His father, George, was the Managing Director and Secretary of the Upper Forest & Worcester Steel & Tinplate Works, Morriston and a Justice of the Peace.

He was educated at Taunton and left school in August 1913 going on to undertake works training at the Upper Forest Engineering Shops.

Harold left this position to join the 1st Welsh Howitzers at the start of the Great War and never returned, losing his life in Belgium in July 1917.

Harold Charles Rowe enlisted in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade in September 1914, shortly after the start of the War. His brother Victor joined at the same time.

There are no surviving records covering Harold's service in the Brigade and his service number is not known (although it can be narrowed down to a short list based on Victor's joining date of 5 September 1914). However, some records have survived from his time as an officer and the local newspapers also help to fill in some of the gaps.

Along with the rest of the 1914 recruits Harold trained in Swansea and is pictured in the November 1914 in the photo of the recruits. He then joined the brigade in Cambridge and according to the Cambria Daily Leader he had an attack of appendicitis, for which he underwent an operation at Cambridge. When convalescent he joined the second line of Howitzers.

At around this time, the Army put out a request for candidates to become Territorial Officers and Harold's father, George Rowe, applied on his and his brother, Victor's behalf on 22 February 1915. A family fried provided the following character reference I have known his sons from birth, and I can testify to their being highly intelligent and of excellent character and behaviour.

Harold's application was successful and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on probation on 11 November 1916.

Shortly after, on 19 January 1917, Harold went to France and joined 298th (Army) Brigade, the local paper later reported Since Lieut. Rowe has been in France he had seen considerable service, and had been in action most of the time.

Harold Rowe was killed in action on the 19 July 1917. His Commanding Officer wrote to his parents telling them that he was killed in action last night by shell fire whilst carrying out his duties with the guns. His death was painless and instantaneous.

He was buried at the Spoilbank Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium. HIs parents had the following inscription carved into the headstone Until the day break and the shadows flee away.. He is also remembered on the Morriston War Memorial and the Upper Forest and Worcester Steel and Tinplate Works Ltd War Memorial.

Second Lieutenant Harold Charles Rowe was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service. His family also received a Death Plaque and Scroll.