He was the son of Robert Balfour of Balbirnie and Ann Ramsay.
[1] Balfour entered the British Army on 22 March 1762.
[3] He became colonel of the 83rd Regiment on 18 November 1795 and took part in the Siege of Seringapatam.
On 25 October 1809 received the rank of general.
[2] On 20 March 1823, following the death of James Balfour, John Hodgson succeeded to the colonelcy of the 83rd Regiment.