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Thomas Francis (Tom) Hynes (1872–1945)

This article was published:

Tom Hynes, 1913

Tom Hynes, 1913

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 15 February 1913, p 5

Thomas Francis (Tom) Hynes (1872-1945) miner, trade union official and mayor 

Birth: 8 August 1872 at Roscommon, Ireland, son of Michael Hynes (1831-1904) and Elizabeth Dunning (1836-1905). Marriage: 1904 at Broken Hill to Ellen Clarke. They had one daughter and five sons. Death: 17 August 1945 in his home at Pell Lane, Railway Town, Broken Hill. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Came to Australia in 1900 and later settled at Broken Hill, following his older brother Kieran Hynes (1860-1934), who was a police constable there in 1898 (and during the strike in 1907) and was later a sergeant in Paramatta and Sydney.
  • After twelve months in the employ of the Silverton Tramway Co, Thomas went to work on the mines. Worked on line of lode for many years.
  • Leading official of old Amalgamated Miners’ Association (later Workers’ Industrial Union of Australia), vice president several times. Involved in 44-hour campaign.
  • Elected alderman (Labor) on the City Council at a by-election on 12 March 1912. Was mayor in 1913 and 1917-1918. Returned to the Council in December 1924. Served more than twenty years as Broken Hill alderman.
  • Active in the Australian Labor Party and involved in conscription issue in 1916-1917.
  • Contracted disease and put on workers' compensation from 1928. Member, Compensation Association from 1928.
  • Member of the Ambulance Trust and chairman several times. Other bodies with which he was connected included the Eight Hours’ Day committee, St Patrick’s Day committee, Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society, Sacred Heart branch (of which he was past president), Australian Holy Catholic Guild and the Holy Name Society.
  • Had been able to look after himself while on compensation, becoming ill shortly before his death.
  • Two sons served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War II: Terence Joseph Hynes (1919-1979), an engine cleaner, and Edward Patrick Hynes (1911-1975), a labourer.

Sources
Common Cause, 25 August 1945 p. 11.

Additional Resources

  • photo, Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 15 February 1913, p 5
  • short profile, Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 31 December 1924, p 2

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

'Hynes, Thomas Francis (Tom) (1872–1945)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hynes-thomas-francis-tom-34077/text42732, accessed 7 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Tom Hynes, 1913

Tom Hynes, 1913

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), 15 February 1913, p 5

Life Summary [details]

Birth

8 August, 1872
Roscommon, Ireland

Death

17 August, 1945 (aged 73)
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces