Harry Flower

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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]

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.

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