"3740 Thomas Hynes volunteered for service in South Africa at Wellington, New Zealand, on 14 January 1901 and on attestation stated he was a single man 21 years of age. His civilian occupation was declared to be a miner employed in the Waipori district of Otago and his physical description was 6 feet in height and 11stone 5lbs in weight.

He was posted to 20th Company, Sixth New Zealand Contingent, in the rank of Private, embarked for overseas service on 30 January 1901 in HMT ss. "Cornwall" and entered South Africa at East London on 13 March 1901.

After taking his full part in the ensuing campaigns in which his unit was engaged he re-embarked for New Zealand on 10 April 1902, returned to New Zealand on 11 May 1902 and was discharged the following month on completion of his engagement.

For his services Private Hynes was awarded the (Queen's) South African Medal with Clasps "Transvaal", "Orange Free State", "Cape Colony", "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902". His declared next of kin during his service was his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Hynes, of Waipori." (Extract in his service record)