Gp/Cptn H. M. Pinfold was born on 5th February 1913.
He joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1934.

On 29th September. Herbert was posted to 5 FTS, Sealand and with training completed, he went to 6 Squadron at Ismailia, Egypt on 5th September 1935.
Herbert returned to the UK to joined the newly formed 64 Squadron on 19th March 1936 flying Hawker Demons, and went with the squadron to the Western Desert to combat the Italian Air Force threat. The squadron returned to the UK in September.
After a short spell as personal assistant and pilot to AOC 11 Group, he was posted to RAF Upavon for a Flying Instructors Course. On completion of course he was posted to 502 Squadron, AuxAF as Flying Instructor and Adjutant at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland on 16th July 1938.

In January 1939, Herbert joined 603 Squadron at RAF Turnhouse, Scotland where he converted from Harts to Gladiators and then to the Spitfire. He went to 3 FTS, South Cerney on 2nd July 1940, as an instructor.
Having been keen to fly operationally, he arrived at 5 OTU, Aston Down on 11th August for a refresher course and after converting to Hurricanes.

Herbert took command of 56 Squadron at North Weald on the 25th, remaining with it until 29th January 1941, when he returned to flying instruction with a posting to 10 FTS, Tern Hill, as an instructor.
Herbert then completed the RAF Staff College course and then held staff positions in the UK, after which he was on the staff at Air HQ Kandy, Ceylon and later Singapore.
On returning to the UK Herbert commanded Duxford by then flying Meteors. He was then posted to the Air Ministry in the Directorate of Intelligence (Russian).

In 1953 Herbert was appointed Air Attache in Roma, before returning to the UK in 1956 for a second spell as Station Commander of Duxford.

Herbert opted for early retired from the RAF on 1st October 1958, as a Group Captain to join an electronics company, later becoming its Export Manager.