Obituary: Harry Flowers
6 Jul 06
Appreciation of Harry Flowers, one of the founders of the Glasgow Bar Association
by Joseph Beltrami
Harry was a highly intelligent lawyer equipped with an excellent sense of humour. Determined, he took no “snash” from anyone, including our learned sheriffs.
Born and brought up in “the” Renton, Dunbartonshire, Harry made his way to Glasgow University, after his army service, where he graduated Bachelor of Law along with that legal giant J Irvine Smith.
He set up his own business in the mid-50s, and in the late 50s he spent much of his time setting in motion the beginnings of the Glasgow Bar Association. I well remember him returning from holiday, full of enthusiasm for a bar association as he had seen abroad. Clearly, he had spent a lot of his time with its members. He urged and pushed this idea upon us, argued its merits and even prepared a constitution for the now extensive and powerful Glasgow Bar Association.
Harry would not allow his name to go forward as first president, but suggested that an older, longer-established solicitor, in the name of Tom Gunn, should be given the position. Harry was the third solicitor to hold this prestigious office.
Winnie Ewing, Bill Dunlop senior and myself were early committee members who assisted in the propagation and dissemination of Harry’s original ideas.
A talented and gifted professional musician – his war service near the end of World War 2 was with a Scottish regiment as an active member of its band – he played sax in a jazz group for many years along with a former fiscal and clarinetist, Bill Stewart.
Harry was often approached by junior members of our profession and was always pleased to oblige, assist and spend as much time as it took. On retirement some 10 years ago he donated his extensive and expensive law library to his beloved GBA.
Throughout his law career he prepared his civil and criminal briefs assiduously, leaving no stone unturned when necessary. He was also a fair linguist, speaking French, German and Italian.
One might think on reading this that I was a great admirer of Harry’s. Weren’t we all?
Joseph Beltrami, Solicitor advocate