Flight Lieutenant 41608 Harold Leslie "Knockers" North was born 31st of October 1919, the son of William Charles Dingey North (1885 to 1937) and Ruby Rogers North nee Brooks (1896 to 1961), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Harold was educated at Otago Boys School from 1933 to 1935 and thence at Wellington Technical College after which he was employed as a law clerk for a barrister and solicitor in Wellington.

In 1938 he successfully applied for a short service commission with the RAF. Following training, and came to England aboard the RMS Rangitane in September the same year. Following training, he joined 43 Squadron at Tangmere in July, 1940. Prior to the 26th of August he claimed two enemy aircraft destroyed and another two probable.

On the 26th August Flt Lt North was flying Hurricane V7259. Having claimed a He111 destroyed and another probable in the area of Portsmouth, he was himself shot down at 16.50, and baled out. His Hurricane crashed at Birdham. Flt Lt North was admitted to the Royal Sussex Hospital at Chichester with shell splinter wounds to his head and arms; he returned to his squadron on the 10th of September.

In December 1940 he was posted to 96 (night fighter) Squadron.

From April to June 1941 he was rested before being posted to 457 Squadron (RAAF).

During 1942 he shot down two FW190s and damaged two more. On the 1st of May 1942 he was with the squadron providing high cover to bombers attacking the shell factory at Marquise. He was last seen diving from 17,000 feet on an enemy aircraft, ten miles inland of the French coast and is believed to have been killed in action and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.

His health was never good and he suffered with kidney problems but flew in spite of it. He was posthumously awarded the DFC on the 5th of June 1942.

His citation was no doubt written before his death and has the added note “Since missing” but reads “….This officer has commanded a flight since the squadron was formed. He has performed much valuable work both during the training of the squadron and in its operational activities. Displaying great courage and initiative, Flight Lieutenant North, who previously served with another unit and fought in the Battle of Britain, has destroyed at least 5 enemy aircraft”.