Harry Bentham was the second son of Richard and Hannah Bentham, born in Blackburn, Lancashire, on 21st December 1892. In 1911, he was working as a bank clerk in Cromer.

When the war started, Harry enlisted as a Private in the 19th (Public Schools) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers with whom he went to France on the 14th November 1915. He remained with them until 21st March 1916 when he was recalled to England to undergo officer training. The Woodbridge Reporter and Wickham Market Gazette from 30th March 1916 reported:

In and About Woodbridge

Woodbridge has joined with Melton in giving a cordial welcome to Pte H Bentham, who during the week has returned home from the front. Pte Bentham at the time of his enlistment in January 1915 was at the Capital and Counties Bank in Cromer. He joined the Public Schools Battalion and became attached to the 19th Royal Fusiliers and went to France November last, and therefore has had 5 months of experience of active warfare. He is looking remarkably fit, with plenty of natural cheerfulness and optimism. He is now a Cadet in the 2nd Officers Cadet Battalion at Emmanuel College Cambridge, for 4 months training previous to receiving a commission. Pte Bentham is the second son of Mr R Bentham, Headmaster of Melton School.

Harry received his commission on 5th August that year, at which point he joined the Motor Machine Gun Corps (MMGC) as a Second Lieutenant. He remained with the MMGC until the end of the war, eventually relinquishing his commission at the rank of Lieutenant on 5th November 1920.

He married Hilda Nott in 1929 and they had two daughters. In 1939, Harry was a Bank Manager in Tenbury, Worcestershire.

For his war service, Harry received the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.