Harry Gill was a member of the very successful Powell Tillery Gymnastics Club, Abertillery, at the turn of the 20th century, and was club captain during a large part of that period. Just before the 1908 Olympics, he moved to the Colliers Hall Club in Cwmtillery, before returning to Powell Tillery just before the outbreak of World War I. A coal face worker in the area, he served with the South Wales Borderers during the hostilities and served in France and Flanders before being wounded. When he left the Army Gill served, firstly, as an instructor and later as secretary and manager at the Powell Tillery club. He was also a member of the Abertillery District Council between 1931-34. In 1936, Gill was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after being found guilty on 50 counts of embezzlement and other charges during his time as secretary at Powell Tillery.