Harry Livesey was born in Spain on 30^th May 1860 and named Fernando Harry Whitehead Livesey as he was born on St. Fernando's day. His parents, James Livesey (183-1925), civil engineer, and Sarah Ford Whittle (1839-1903), had married at Preston in 1858 and departed soon after to work for the Santander and Altar Railway Company. On return to England James set up business in Manchester as 'James Livesey, Engineer and General Agent' which flourished throughout his life with contracts across North and South America as well as in Spain.

Harry, as he was known, joined his father's business in 1886. The business expanded in 1894 to form 'Livesey Son and Henderson' when joined with Sir Brodie Haldane Henderson (1869-1936), civil and military engineer. The company became one of the foremost consulting engineers of the period, specialising in railway projects and operting worldwide.

During WWI, Harry served as Deputy Director of Inland Waterways and Docks at the War Office from August 1916 to May 1917, when he became Director of Contracts at the Admiralty, holding the post until December 1918. He was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1918 and raised to Knight Grand Cross (GBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours.

Harry never married and died at the age of 72, at sea, where he is buried, on 21^st June 1932. He, and his family and near relations, are remembered in the family's graveyard at St. Denys, Rotherfield and he is commemorated on the North wall window of the church