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