Harold Atkin-Berry was born in Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, on 2 March 1892, the son of William Henry and Louise Atkin-Berry. He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1905. He was promoted to Midshipman on 15 September 1909 and appointed to the battleship HMS KING EDWARD VII.  At the time of the 1911 Census, he was serving in the cruiser HMS COCHRANE. He was appointed to the battleship HMS COMMONWEALTH on 10 October 1912 and promotion to Sub Lieutenant followed on 30 December 1912.

He was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN ‘for Instruction in Submarines’ on 1 March 1914. Sub Lieutenant Harold Atkin-Berry was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS VULCAN at Dundee on 8 June 1914 for HMS C27 as First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 30 December 1914. The Nominal List dated 7 October 1915 indicates that Harold Atkin Berry was appointed to HMS E26 as First Lieutenant.

On 3 July 1916, HMS E26 was operating off the estuary of the Ems River when German forces attacked the submarine. Both gunfire and bombs were used. E26 did not return from her patrol and was assumed to have been lost with all hands. Harold Atkin-Berry is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 11.

Note. On joining the Royal Navy his surname was given as Berry but the family name was changed to Atkin-Berry in 1910.