Joseph Dyas was an Ensign (later Captain) in the British 51st (2nd South Yorkshire, West Riding ) Light Infantry, with whom he served throughout the Peninsula and at Waterloo. At Badajoz on 6th April 1811, one of the bloodiest actions of the Peninsula campaign, Ensign Dyas twice volunteered to be part of the 'Forlorn Hope', storming into the breach of San Cristobel Fort. On the second occasion he led the party after its commander, Major McGreachy, and all the other officers were killed. He was offered immediate promotion by Wellington into another regiment, but Dyas declined to leave the 51st and subsequently served with them throughout the Peninsula and at Waterloo, reaching the rank of Captain. 'The Stormers' - refers to the gallantry of the 'Forlorn Hope' led by Ensign Dyas and originally it was the custom to toast 'Ensign Dyas' throughout the Peninsula Army. In later years, however, the practice has been restricted to the KOYLI to toast 'Ensign Dyas and the Stormers' in silence. He later served in the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, until he took 'half-pay' (pension)and retired to Ballymena, County Antrim where he served as the local Stipendary Magistrate. He died there on 3rd May 1850, and is buried in St. Patrick's Church.   BALLINA CHRONICLE Ballina, Mayo, Ireland Wednesday, May 8, 1850 Captain Dyas, stipendiary magistrate, died at Ballymena on Saturday last. He served throughout the Peninsula and with the 51st at Waterloo.