Rupert Balfe
(Joseph) Rupert Balfe (b 9 March 1890), the youngest of three boys, attended Princes Hill State School and later attended Melbourne University to study medicine. During his years there he played for the University VFL Football Club. Rupert was quick to enlist and joined the 6th Battalion, one of the first units raised, and became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Brigade. His father was the mayor of Brunswick at the time, and became involved in patriotic causes. His mother also later became president of Brunswick's chapter of the Red Cross Society to help provide for the needs of wounded soldiers.
Studio portrait 11 September 1914, above, of a group of 11 soldiers, shortly after their enlistment in the AIF and assignment to the 6th Battalion. Second Lieutenant (later Lieutenant (Lt)) Joseph Rupert Balfe is sitting in the centre of the front row wearing the cap badge of the Melbourne University Regiment. Four of these young men were killed in action at Gallipoli on Anzac day 1915.
Balfe left Australia for Egypt onboard the Hororato on 19 October 1914, and after several months training was sent into action.
Lieutenant Balfe standing at rear right in Egypt, 1915
He died on the infamous ANZAC Day at Gallipoli, Turkey, at the age of 25. After going ashore as part of the second wave, according to a report by one of his commanding officers, Balfe was killed instantly by a bursting shell just after reaching the beach. One of his corporals reported: “He was leading, and very keen. Two of his party came back and said he was killed, but could not bring his body back. We had to retire that evening.” His name appears on the Princes Hill Roll of Honor below the stairs on the ground floor. Balfe had a strong friendship with Robert Menzies, who was also studying at Melbourne University. Menzies went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia from 1939–1941, 1949–1966. Menzies wrote a poem for the late Balfe which appeared in several newspapers on 16 July 1915. "In Memoriam Lieut. J.R. Balfe, Killed in Action, Gallipoli, July 1915:
His was the call that came from far away –
An Empire's message flashing o'er the sea –
The call to arms! The blood of chivalry
Pulsed quicker in his veins; he could not stay!
Let others wait; for him the glorious day
Of tyrants humbled and a world set free
Had dawned in clouds and thunder; with a glee
Born not of insensate madness for the fray,
But rather of a spirit noble, brave,
And kindled by a heart that wept at wrong,
He went. The storms of battle round him rave
And screaming fury o'er him chants its song,
Sleep, gallant soul! Though gone thy living breath,
Thou liv'st for aye, for thou has conquered death!"
Training in Egypt, Rupert Balfe is standing in the front row closest to camera
