Harold Mercer (1882–1952) was an Australian short story writer and poet who was born in Kelvin Grove in Queensland.
[1] At the time of his death he was publicity officer of the New South Wales Chess Association, having earlier served as its honorary secretary.
He enlisted in the First World War and served as a corporal in 1st Battalion with the AIF.
Besides his own name Mercer also used the pseudonyms "Spare Corp", "Hamer", "Exdig", "Harold Hardupp", "Hamfat", "Percy Pawnticket", "The Frequent Lover" and others when publishing his work.
[3] He died in Bondi in Sydney in a road accident after having dinner at his son's house.