Harry Alexander Darling was the son of Henry Darling, Company Secretary of the Smiths Dock Company, and his wife, Elizabeth.

His older brother, Alan Heppell Darling also went to the High School, and was killed at the Battle of Albert, in 1916.

Alexander joined the school in 1905, and left in 1909 at the age of 12 to go to St Bee's Grammar School, Cumbria, after which he became an apprentice engineer with Rennoldson shipyard in South Shields.

On 31-Mar-1914, at the age of 17, and with 4 years still to serve in his apprenticeship, Alexander volunteered to serve with the Tyne Electrical Engineers as a Sapper.

In October, 1915, he received a commission with the Durham Light Infantry, where he served as 2nd Lieutenant.

He died in Whitley Bay in 1953.