06 October 2013

Victoria Cross: Burslem, Lane and Chaplin

NATHANIEL GODOLPHIN BURSLEM

Lieutenant, 67th Regiment

Born: 2 February 1837, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
Died: July 1865, Thames (Waihou) River, New Zealand


THOMAS LANE

Private, 67th Regiment

Born: May 1836, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Died: 12 April 1889, Kimberley, South Africa

Joint Citation: For distinguished gallantry in swimming the Ditches of the North Taku Fort [on 21 August 1860], and persevering in attempting during the assault, and before the entrance of the Fort had been effected by any one, to enlarge an opening in the Wall, through which they eventually entered, and, in doing so, were both severely wounded.

[London Gazette issue 22538 dated 13 Aug 1861, published 13 Aug 1861.]


Note: Lane, one of eight men whose VCs were forfeited, was stripped of the medal on 7 April 1881 after being convicted of desertion and of theft of a "horse, arms and accoutrements".





JOHN WORTHY CHAPLIN

Ensign, 67th Regiment

Born: 23 July 1840, Ewhurst Park, Hampshire
Died: 18 August 1920, Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Citation: For distinguished gallantry at the North Taku Fort [on 21 August 1860]. This Officer was carrying the Queen's Colour of the Regiment, and first planted the Colours on the breach made by the storming party, assisted by Private Lane, of the 67th Regiment, and subsequently on the cavalier of the Fort, which he was the first to mount. In doing this, he was severely wounded.

[London Gazette issue 22538 dated 13 Aug 1861, published 13 Aug 1861.]


Note: The Taku Forts are located by the Hai (Pei Ho) River estuary, in Tanggu District, 60 km southeast of Tianjin (Tientsin). The action described here took place during the Second Opium War (1856-60).

No comments: