Harry Flower

Harold Edwin 'Harry' Flower 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.

Background

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

Playing career

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

War service

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

Death

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