Born on 26 April 1867, son of Henry Burden MD, MRCS of Belfast, pathologist to the Royal Hospital and President of the Ulster Medical Society who died on 18 February 1893, he was educated at home, and entered St Thomas's Hospital Medical School in 1886. He won the William Tite scholarship in 1887, and was house surgeon at St Thomas's, the Royal Free, and the Stockwell Fever Hospital; he was also a pro sector at the College. Burden was commissioned a Surgeon-Lieutenant in the Indian Medical Service on 29 January 1894, passing second out of Netley. He saw active service on the North-West Frontier in 1895, was at the relief of Chitral, and won the medal and clasp. Promoted Surgeon-Captain in 1897, he served in the Tirah campaign 1897-98, receiving two clasps to his medal. He was promoted Major in July 1905, created CIE in 1911, and became Lieutenant-Colonel in 1913. During the war he served in Egypt, Persia, and India, and was mentioned in dispatches in 1916. Finally he was Residency Surgeon in Nepal. He retired with the honorary rank of Colonel in March 1921. Coming home to England, Burden settled at Bournemouth, where he enjoyed shooting, sailing, and golf. He married in 1924 Ellen Muriel, widow of John Darby, who survived him. Colonel Burden died at his home Pine Grange, Bath Road, Bournemouth on 18 January 1953 aged 85.