(Joseph) Rupert Balfe (b 9 March 1890) 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. Serving as a Second Lieutenant with the 6th Battalion in the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF), 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!"