Garner was one of three boys and a daughter. His eldest brother, William Edward (1889–1960) was born in
Hugglescote in Leicestershire and became an expert in explosives. His other brother Frederic Horace (1893–1964) became a chemistry professor. Harry was educated at
Market Bosworth Grammar School and
St John's College, Cambridge. He worked for the British government on aerodynamics leading a group at Felixstowe on marine aviation before becoming chief scientist at the
Ministry of Supply. Meanwhile, he became a noted expert and collector of oriental art. He started by collecting Chinese
blue and white porcelain, and also wrote on Chinese
lacquerware, especially
carved lacquer, and published on these and other subjects. In 1954 he recognised the two vases now known as the
David Vases as the only fourteenth century blue and white porcelain then known. He was a friend of Sir
Percival David. Both of these made substantial donations to the
British Museum. Amongst Garner's collection were the
Kakiemon elephants. ==Honours==