Nathaniel Burslem : Short Biography

Nathaniel Burslem was born in Limerick on the 2nd of February, 1837. Both his father and garndfather had served in the British military, so it seems only natural that when the time came, Nathaniel himself enlisted in the army.

At the age of 24, Burslem had achieved the rank of Lieutenant. On the 21st of August 1860, he was posted with the 67th Regiment of Foot in the Taku Forts, China. This was during the Second China War. During the attack on the Taku Forts, Burslem, along with another man named Private Thomas Lane, swam across the ditches and managed to create an opening in the wall to allow the British forces to enter. He was severely wounded in the attempt but survived. For his gallantry on this day, Burslem was awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross. 

After his retirement from military service, Burslem relocated to New Zealand where he purchased land and intended to start a life for himself. Sadly it was not to be as he was drowned on the 14th of July 1865 when his canoe capsized on the Waihou River.