Harold Rupert Vickers was born at Albury, New South Wales on 17 October 1914 to Robert Vickers and Jessie Scott (née Louden) Vickers. He had four older brothers. Vickers lived with his family in Albury and worked as a motor mechanic. He was also a part of a local militia unit.

Vickers enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 23 May 1942 at Melbourne, Victoria. After completing Elementary Flight Training School at Essendon, Victoria, and Service Flight Training School at Deniliquin, New South Wales, he qualified as a pilot on 19 September 1942 and embarked for overseas service on 12 December 1942. After his arrival in the United Kingdom on 7 February 1943, he undertook further training. Vickers was then posted to 544 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was primarily involved in photographic reconnaissance. He flew de Havilland DH98 Mosquito aircraft in 64 operations over Europe.

During a reconnaissance operation on 19 August 1944, Vickers’ aircraft was intercepted and shot by two German aircraft and he was forced to crash land near Chateaudun, France. He and all his crew were picked up by a nearby American patrol, given medical attention, and were able to return to England. Within his squadron, Vickers was well regarded as both an experienced pilot and a respected officer.

On 30 July 1945, Vickers married Women’s Axillary Air Force member Mary Suzanne Kidner at Edmonton, Essex. He returned to Australia after the war, and was discharged on 17 January 1946.

Harold and Mary settled in Albury, New South Wales. He initially resumed his work as a motor mechanic, but had become a motor cycle agent by 1954. Harold Rupert Vickers died on 3 March 1987.