Thomas Nicholls Vines was born in Hamilton, Victoria on 15 September 1891.  He was the son of Thomas Vines and his wife, Christina McDougall.

Thomas snr had spent his life in a world of horses.  He had been a horse dealer and during the Boer War had supplied horses to be shipped to South Africa.  He had also been a coach driver and manager in the Cobb & Co. coaching company owned for a time by his father, Joshua.  He, like his son, enlisted for service and was appointed to the 1st Remount Unit at Maribyrong.  Both men gave 90 Powlett Street, East Melbourne as their permanent address, and Christina of the same address as their next of kin  Accordng to the Council Rate Books this was their address from 1913 to 1921.

Thomas jnr enlisted on 31 December 1914 at Melbourne six months before his father.  He gave his occupation as clerk.  He was 5ft 7ins with a medium complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair.  He was appointed to the 5th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements at Broadmeadows as a private.

He embarked on 19 February 1915 on HMAT Runic and arrived at Suez on 3 April 1915.  On 18 September 1915 the Leader reported that the harrier and 'former 10 mile champion T N Vines, writes that he is attached to his battalion as a 'runner,' and after two months in the thick of it is still untouched.'  Shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with diptheria and spent several weeks in hospital in Egypt.  He rejoined his unit on February 1916 and in March embarked for France.  There he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.  His recommendation read:-

'At POZIERES, FRANCE, on 25th July 1916, Sgnlr. VINES assisted to maintain communication under extraordinary difficult conditions for over twelve hours, during which time the enemy launched two counter attacks, each accompanied by very heavy shelling.'

In this incident 6 officers and 39 ranks were killed; 6 officers and 242 ranks wounded; and 1 officer and 158 ranks were missing.

A month later he wrote to one of his friends in the harriers and again the Leader published it.  It describes his experience buried in a trench that had been blown in.  [See link below]

In November and December he was in hospital again, first with trench fever and then influenza.  He rejoined his unit on 29 December 1916.  He was appointed Lance Corporal on 4 February 1917 and promoted to Corporal on 7 March 1917.  He was reported sick yet again on 21 September 1917 and transferred to Devonport Military Hospital, England with an abscess on the buttock.  Then it was back to France where he rejoined his unit on 19 December 1917.  He was diagnosed with tonsilitis on 26 February 1918 and rejoined his unit on 5 March 1918.  He was wounded (gas) 25 August 1918 and was in hospital once more.  He rejoined his unit on 9 October 1918.  He returned to Asutralia on 14 December 1918, arriving home 29 january 1919.

After the war he resumed his running career for a few years and then took up competitive shooting.  

He died on 28 May 19156, leaving two daughters.  His wife, Eloise Kate, predeceased him.