Canadian Virtual War Memorial

28

Army

Canadian Corps

His citation read: On 7 March 1945, the Algonquin Regiment with under command A Squadron 29 Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, attacked enemy strong points at MR 103362 on the outskirts of VEEN, GERMANY. Lt Burslem, RCCS (attached to the Algonquin Regiment) directed the battalion intercommunication during this attack. During this period shelling was extremely heavy. It was impossible to prevent infiltration of enemy snipers or the resultant harassing of unit lines of communication. Drivers of supply vehicles and ambulance jeeps were continually being wounded and killed by sniper fire. In spite of this constant danger, Lt Berslem personally guided his line parties into the forward localities under heavy fire and methodical sniping and during a thirty-six hour period this officer made no less than eight trips personally repairing line and carrying batteries to the forward posts. During this action Lt Burslem also acted as guide to ammunition and supply forward localities and on one of these occasions the ammunition carrier he was leading was halted by strong anti-tank fire. Disregarding the fire his actions drew, this officer quickly transferred some badly need PIAT ammunition into his jeep and attempted to run it through to the forward company where supplies had been exhausted. He was again held up by sniper fire but successfuly deatly with this situation by employing his Bren gun and eventually reached the beleaguered company. Throughout this whole action Lt Burslem carried out his hazardous work with a quiet efficiency which inspired confidence in all those who worked with him. The continuous gallant, unselfish, conduct of this officer is regarded as most worthy and in the highest interests of the service.