Flynn is acknowledged to be one of the two youngest recipients of the Victoria Cross; both he and Andrew Fitzgibbon were 15 years and three months old.

[1] His exact date of birth is unknown, but he was 15 years old, and a drummer in the 64th Regiment of Foot (later The North Staffordshire Regiment – The Prince of Wales's), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 28 November 1857 at Cawnpore, India, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:[2] Drummer Thomas Flynn Date of Act of Bravery, 28th November 1857

For conspicuous gallantry, in the charge on the Enemy's guns on the 28th of November 1857, when, being himself wounded, he engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter two of the Rebel Artillerymen.After he left the army, he fell on hard times and was sent to Athlone Workhouse.

His local Member of Parliament, Donal Sullivan, raised the matter in the House of Commons in April 1892.

After reference to Flynn's previous gallantry, Sullivan asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office St John Brodrick: ...whether he is aware that Flynn was awarded a pension of £10 a year for his valorous conduct, which sums the Guardians of the Athlone Union appropriate towards his maintenance; and whether some small increase could be made, so as to enable him in his old age to end his days more comfortably than in a workhouse?Brodrick replied that: This case is well known at the War Office.