Philip Harlock was born in Singleton, Lancashire on 21 January 1893, the son of Doctor Harry Harlock and Caroline Gertrude Harlock (née Martin). He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1906. He was promoted to Midshipman on 15 September 1910 and was appointed to the battleship HMS COMMONWEALTH on 18 September 1910 and, then to the battleship HMS HINDUSTAN in November 1910. On 15 January 1912, he was appointed to the battleship HMS TRIUMPH and then to the battleship HMS THUNDERER on 15 May 1912. Philip Harlock joined the cruiser HMS DUKE OF EDINBURGH on 8 October 1913. Promotion to Sub Lieutenant followed on 15 January 1914. In May 1914 he joined the Torpedo Boat Destroyer HMS BULLDOG.

Philip Harlock was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS ARROGANT at Dover for submarines on 24 February 1915. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 March 1915. His next appointment was to HMS C32 as First Lieutenant to date 5 July 1915. Philip Harlock was then appointed to HMS E37 as First Lieutenant on 10 February 1916. E37 was lost with all hands in the North Sea on 30 November 1916. It is believed that the submarine detonated a mine.

Philip Harlock of Westergate House, Chichester is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel No 11.