Chief Engine Room Artificer Harold Percy Balchin (P/M 27288) was born on August 21st 1901 in Cranleigh near Guildford, Surrey. He enlisted in the Royal Navy 1917 and was apprenticed as an engine room artificer. From 1925 to 1927 he served in the Royal Australian Navy. In 1934, he was awarded a Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He joined H.M.S. Dunedin on April 26th1939.
He was married to Bertha Fitzgerald, with whom he had a daughter.