He was 19 years old, and was educated at the Convent School, Lawrence. After leaving school he followed farming pursuits for a short period.
At the time of enlisting he was working in the Railway Locomotive Department, Dunedin. He went with the Earl of Liverpool's Own to Egypt, and from there he went to France.
He was not long in the trenches before he was wounded, and after recovering he again joined his regiment, when he was killed. He was very popular with everyone who came into contact with him.
Mr James Hunt, of Kaitangata, received news on Friday that his son, Harry Hunt, was killed in action. Private Hunt was well known at Kaitangata some years ago, but enlisted from Timaru with the Main Body (says the correspondent of the Balclutha Free Press).
Three other sons of Mr Hunt are in the fray, and one has been seriously wounded and rendered unfit for further service. Mrs Hunt arrived from England to join her husband the day the news of Harry Hunt's death came through.
Private Arnold John Kiernan (killed in action) was the eldest son of Mr H. W. Kiernan, for some years postmaster at Balclutha, latterly at Apia, Samoa, and now relieving postmaster in the Auckland district.
Private Kiernan enlisted at Invercargill, being then employed in the Telephone exchange. He went as a member of the Special Signalling Corps attached to the 6th Reinforcements, being only a fortnight in camp before sailing.
On arrival in Egypt he was transferred to the Engineers, and later went to Gallipoli, remaining on the peninsula until the evacuation.
Later he was included in the first New Zealand drafts to be sent from Egypt to France. Deceased was a fine young fellow, quiet and reserved, and a first-class athlete.
He was a good footballer, and had played for Clutha. He was born in Nelson, and was 26 years of age.
•Probably as fine a body of men as anyone need wish to see, the Otago and Southland draft of the Twenty-second Reinforcements, which leaves for training quarters to-day, is nevertheless lacking in one, and that a very important, respect.
It's deficiency is a numerical one. To the extent of its shortage in numbers it represents failure. The number of recruits asked for has not come forward.
- ODT, 19.10.1916
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