Harold Edwin 'Harry' Flower (30 October 1900 − 6 September 1970) was an Australian World War II veteran, a prisoner of war and a 1920s rugby league player in the New South Wales premiership competition with St. George.

Harry Flower
Personal information
Full nameHarold Edwin Flower
Born(1900-10-30)30 October 1900[1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died6 September 1970(1970-09-06) (aged 69)
Beverly Hills, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1922–30 St. George 58 6 0 0 18
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1924 New South Wales 1 0 0 0 0
1923 Metropolis 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [2]
Flower 2nd back row, 3rd from left in Saints' 1930 side

Background edit

Flower was born in Newtown, New South Wales on 30 October 1900.

Playing career edit

Flower learnt to play rugby league at a young age and was also a great runner, running marathons with the Redfern and St. George Harriers clubs.[3] Originally a South Sydney junior and prop-forward, Flower played eight seasons with St. George during their foundation years between 1922 and 1930.

He scored a try in the infamous Earl Park Riot match in 1928. His last game was the 1930 Grand Final against Western Suburbs.[4]

His brother Jim Flower also played with the St. George Dragons.

War service edit

Flower enlisted in the Australian Army as a 40-year-old during World War II and attained the rank of lance corporal.[5] He was captured and held by the Japanese as a prisoner of war, and survived. His 19-year-old son (Harry Edwin Flower junior) also served in the Australian Army and survived the war.

Death edit

Flower died on 6 September 1970, 54 days short of his 70th birthday.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ WWII roll
  2. ^ "Harry Flower - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  3. ^ The Referee, Sydney "harry Flower Still Blooms" 13/1/1932
  4. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995 -- ISBN 1875169571
  5. ^ "Flower's WWII Roll". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. ^ Sydney Morning Herald- Death Notice 7/9/1970