Joseph Frederick Balch

Born in London, he served in the Militia before he joined the 2nd Battalion DLI in 1896, aged 19 years. He fought in the Boer War with the Burma Mounted Infantry but in February 1901 he was found asleep on sentry duty and sentenced to one year in prison. He was discharged from the Army in 1903.

The Boer War saw all parts of the DLI - Regulars, Militiamen and Volunteers - in action together for the first time. In 1899 1 DLI (Regulars) left Aldershot to join the Army in Natal. At Vaal Krantz on 5 February 1900, the Durhams crossed the Tugela River hoping to break the Boer defences and relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith but the attack failed and casualties were heavy. After the Relief of Ladysmith 1 DLI spent the rest of the war on guard duties. Though based in India 2 DLI (Regulars) sent a Mounted Infantry company to South Africa in 1900. They fought with distinction at Sanna¿s Post and in many other minor actions. Both 3 & 4 DLI (Militia) also went to South Africa but saw little action. Finally the Volunteers sent over 400 men to fight as reinforcements with the Regulars. As in previous wars more Durhams died during the Boer War from disease than in battle with total casualties 100 dead and 150 wounded