The family moved from Saltburn to a farm in Farndale because his father's health was damaged by the chemicals he used in the garage he ran.
[1][2] On 23 June 1944 Flintoff, then a farm labourer aged 13, came to the rescue of farmer John Atkinson who was being attacked by a bull.
[4] The description of the event in the official citation in The London Gazette states:[3] The KING has been pleased to award the Edward Medal to Harwood Henry Flintoff in recognition of his gallantry in the following circumstances: On the 23rd June last a farmer was driving a bull which turned on him, knocked him down, and knelt on his chest.
Harwood Henry Flintoff, a thirteen-year-old schoolboy who assists the farmer immediately left his work in a neighbouring field and ran to his aid.
The bull then broke loose but was caught and led to its shed by a farm labourer who came to assist with a pitch fork.