Born at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, c.1827. A John Burling is shown as baptised at Bottisham on the 7th of January 1827, the son of Elizabeth Burling. (See his shown next-of-kin in 1847.)
Enlisted at Coventry on the 27th of May 1846.
Age: 19 years 3 months.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Labourer.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Grey eyes. Dark brown hair.
"Deserted" from the 2nd of December 1846 to the 27th of January 1847, being tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned from the 28th of January 1847. Also "to lose all of his previous service of 189 days", but this was restored by a War Office Authority letter, dated the 22nd of March 1857.
His next of kin was shown at this time as his mother, Betsy Burling, living in Waterbeach.
The muster roll for the Balaclava period states, "In hospital."
At Scutari from the 4th of April — 11th of May 1855.
Sent to the Depot at Canterbury when the regiment went to India on 25th of June 1856.
Next of kin (in 1867): wife, Theodosia Susannah Burling.
Discharged from Canterbury on the 8th of May 1870:
"Unfit for further service — varicose condition of the left leg. Disability only affects military service and unless it becomes worse will probably not affect his earning a livelihood and own support in the United Kingdom."
Served 24 years 149 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years.
Conduct: "very good". In possession of five Good Conduct badges.
Nine times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Once tried by Court-martial.
Intended to live in Watery Lane, Bury, after discharge.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with four clasps.
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 25th of June 1870.
1871 Census
[RM: The 1871 Census shows him as a "Labourer", aged 44, born at Waterbeach, Cambs, living at 6 Henley Terrace, Kellinge St, Aston, Birmingham. His wife Susan aged 35, a schoolteacher born at Chertsey, Surrey and a daughter Jane aged 6, born at Bland Bridge, Ireland are also shown.
He does not appear in the 1881 Census, but does in 1891 living as a Caretaker at the Medical Dispensary at Thimble Hill Aston with his wife.]
He is recorded as having died in the September quarter of 1896, in Aston registration district aged 68.