John Thomas (Jack) HYNES was born in Herberton, Queensland on the 11 March 1883, the son of the late Mr. Michael Hynes and of Mrs. A. Hynes. He became a vigorous exponent of Rugby, and was a member of the North Queensland team in 1908, which had an unbeaten record in Brisbane.
John claimed Charters Towers as his home town, and when the Great War broke out, went from there to Townsville to enlist in 1914,
as a private in thc gallant 15th Bat-talion, which contained many men from Charters Towers. He took part in the memorable landing al Gallipoli, where his bravery and endurance enabled him to render invaluable aid as a stretcher bearer, as many a 15th Battalion man can testify. It was there that Private Hynes went out again and again under intense fire to bring in his fallen comrades; many of the 15th said Jack Hynes bore a charmed life in those engagements.
Month after month he kept at it until a fragment of shell struck him on the back and being serious he was sent to England. A fortnight later he was sent to France but it would take a volume to detail his doings in that stricken country. He received personal congratulations from Major General Holmes for bravery and good leadership during an attack on Feb-ruary 1 and 2, 1917 at Stormy Trench, Gueudecourt; and from General Birdwood for his bravery.
The "London Gazette'' describes his exploit in gaining the D.S.O., as follows: "During the operations near
Jeancourt, north-west of St. Quentin, on September 18. 1918, Lieutenant John Hynes, M.M., 15th Battalion, led his company with great skill and courage in the attack, gaining his objective at little cost. He captured about 150 prisoners, two field guns, and numerous machine guns. He did fine work."
On March 16, 1919, he was mentioned in a despatch from Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig for gallant and distinguished services.
lt was as Corporal Hynes that he won the Military Medal on Gallipoli and as Sergeant-Major Hynes that he was awarded by the King of Serbia the Cross of Karageorge.
Deep regret was felt in Cairns at the announcement of the death of Captain John Thomas Hynes, which occurred at Randwick Military Hospital, Sydney on the evening of Sunday 16 September 1928. The cause of death was attributed to the after-effects of gas poisoning incurred in France.
Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40638617
Read lessJohn Thomas (Jack) HYNES was born in Herberton, Queensland on the 11 March 1883, the son of the late Mr. Michael Hynes and of Mrs. A. Hynes. He became a vigorous exponent of Rugby, and was a member of the North Queensland team in 1908, which had an unbeaten record in Brisbane.
John claimed Charters Towers as his home town, and when the Great War broke out, went from there to Townsville to enlist in 1914,
as a private in thc gallant 15th Bat-talion, which contained many men from Charters Towers. He took part in the memorable landing al Gallipoli, where his bravery and endurance enabled him to render invaluable aid as a stretcher bearer, as many a 15th Battalion man can testify. It was there that Private Hynes went out again and again under intense fire to bring in his fallen comrades; many of the 15th said Jack Hynes bore a charmed life in those engagements.
Month after month he kept at it until a fragment of shell struck him on the back and being serious he was sent to England. A fortnight later he was sent to France but it would take a volume to detail his doings in that stricken country. He received personal congratulations from Major General Holmes for bravery and good leadership during an attack on Feb-ruary 1 and 2, 1917 at Stormy Trench, Gueudecourt; and from General Birdwood for his bravery.
The "London Gazette'' describes his exploit in gaining the D.S.O., as follows: "During the operations near
Jeancourt, north-west of St. ... More
