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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: CPT Charles H. Upham VC ~ Aug. 20, 2007
linked in thread | Mickey Mouse

Posted on 08/19/2007 3:59:28 PM PDT by StarCMC

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 
 
~ Hall of Heroes ~

CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)
Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham VC and bar (September 21, 1908 - November 22, 1994) was a New Zealand solider who won the Victoria Cross twice during World War II. Earning the Victoria Cross and Bar for outstanding gallantry and leadership in Crete in May 1941, and at Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt, in July 1942. He is only the third person to receive the Victoria Cross twice and the only combat soldier to receive the award twice.

Upham was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on September 21, 1908. He was educated at Christ's College and Lincoln College where he earned a Diploma in Agriculture.

He worked first as a farm manager, then as farm valuer for the government of New Zealand.

Follow the outbreak of World War II, Upham immediately volunteered for service, citing his reason for doing so as the desire to fight for justice. He enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in October 1939 and left for Egypt with the advance party of the 2nd NZEF in December 1939 as a sergeant in the 20th NZ Battalion. He was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in November 1940.

 

First Victoria Cross

In March 1941 his battalion left for Greece and then withdrew to Crete, and it was here, as a Second Lieutenant, that he was wounded in the action in which he gained his first Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross was received for his actions from May 22, 1941 until May 30, 1941.

He displayed outstanding gallantry in close-quarter fighting, when blown up by two mortar shells and badly wounded. In spite of this and an attack of dysentery which reduced him to a skeletal appearance, he refused hospital treatment and carried a badly wounded man to safety when forced to retire. Eight days later he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans falling to his accurate fire.
 

Second Victoria Cross

Upham was evacuated to Egypt. Now promoted to the rank of Captain. He received the bar for his actions on July 14, 1941 and July 15, 1941.

When leading his company attacking an enemy held ridge overlooking the El Alamein battlefield, he was wounded twice but took the objective after fierce fighting. He personally destroyed a German tank, several guns and vehicles with grenades. Upham was shot through the elbow with a machine gun bullet and had his arm shattered, he went on again to a forward position and brought back some of his men who had become isolated.

After his wounds were dressed, he returned to his men but was again severely wounded and unable to move. He was eventually overrun by the superior weight of the enemy forces and taken as a prisoner of war.

After being captured by the Germans, he was sent to an Italian Hospital to recuperate. During captivity he attempted to escape numerous times before being branded "dangerous" by the Germans and incarcerated in the infamous prison fortress Colditz castle.
Post War

Charles Upham returned to New Zealand in September 1945 and ceased Expeditionary Force service in November 1945. Shortly afterward his return he married Molly McTamney.

Following the war Charles Upham took up the New Zealand government's scheme of offering ex-soldiers the chance of a farm of their own. He lived out the rest of his life in peace and solitude on his farm in Hunadlee, North Canterbury.


Charles Upham died on November 22, 1994 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The ashes of Upham were buried in the graveyard of St. Paul's Church Papanui, following his death.


When King George VI enquired to Major-General Kippenberger whether Upham deserved a Bar to the Cross, Kippenberger replied, "In my respectful opinion, sir, Upham has won the VC several times over."

Information found here.
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

And thanks, DieHard The Hunter, for the heads up on this hero!



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: aussiehero; canteen; newzealand; newzealandhero; troopsupport; victoriacross
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hey Kathy! Weekend is finally calmed down so I have a wee bit of ME (read FReep) time.

I’ll pass along your thanks to Chris in my next letter to him.

I had a bright idea because I’m on the run so much these days! I pre printed a stack of envelopes with his address and my return address. That way I can write a few lines and just stick it in the mail.


81 posted on 08/19/2007 6:53:58 PM PDT by amom (Ihaly2tonk)
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To: amom

Good job! And great idea.


82 posted on 08/19/2007 7:09:51 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: StarCMC
Hello, KJ!! Thank you for your service to our country.


83 posted on 08/19/2007 7:13:13 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: fatima

fatima...((HUGS))...are you home from your wonderful vacation?


84 posted on 08/19/2007 7:16:56 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: StarCMC; All

This Day in U.S. Military History August 20

1942 - Searchlights crossing the sky cease to be a fixture of Hollywood premieres as of this day in 1942. In an attempt to avoid attack and surveillance by enemy forces in World War II, the entire West Coast was required to dim its lights at night. During the war, movie studies were also limited in the amount of cloth they could use in costumes, the quantity of new construction they could devote to sets, and the amount of film stock they could purchase.


85 posted on 08/19/2007 7:23:19 PM PDT by gpapa
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To: Kathy in Alaska; tomkow6; LUV W; monkapotamus; All

More breaking news off Xinurea news wire report of Taiwan airliner caugught fire at Thailand airport at this hour don’t worry no people were on board

Also breaking news off Xinurea news wire there mini riot in that storm raged Chinese city that has 181 miners missing Chinese cops been reportedly on the street of China at this hour try stop family rioting

Also BBC wire claim that Jamacia has put everybody on curfrew no word yet if Looter guy show up


86 posted on 08/19/2007 7:29:05 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: skimask

You are most welcome. Congratulations to the Captain and his wife.


87 posted on 08/19/2007 7:36:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: StarCMC

Very inspiring.


88 posted on 08/19/2007 7:44:48 PM PDT by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: BIGLOOK

Aloha, Hawaii...some rest for you after this weekends chores? Any cleanup necessary from Flossie? Are you watching the Giants on tv? It has been sprinkling off and on all day here.


89 posted on 08/19/2007 7:50:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: MoochPooch

Good evening, Mooch. Is your area back to “normal” yet? Have your transportation issues improved?


90 posted on 08/19/2007 7:52:39 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: gpapa
Thanks, gpapa, for This Day in US Military History.


91 posted on 08/19/2007 8:06:27 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: TASMANIANRED

Glad to hear about the fire eater.


92 posted on 08/19/2007 8:08:30 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Old Sarge

How very cool!! Congratulation to you all, The Boy, The Missus and you, for jobs well done. Too neat that you are all enjoying a hobby together, and doing a darn good job of it.

Glad that healing is progressing nicely.


93 posted on 08/19/2007 8:23:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: StarCMC

Great thread! Thanks Star.

So many heroes, so little time!


94 posted on 08/19/2007 8:24:34 PM PDT by luvie (Thompson)
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To: skimask

What a beautiful/handsome couple!

Thanks for sharing.


95 posted on 08/19/2007 8:25:57 PM PDT by luvie (Thompson)
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To: txradioguy; sxytxredhead73

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
Thanks, tx, for your service to our country.


96 posted on 08/19/2007 8:27:51 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; TASMANIANRED
Glad to hear about the fire eater.

Sounds like I missed something Saturday. Close call?

97 posted on 08/19/2007 8:33:38 PM PDT by HiJinx (Learn to take as a measure of success the criticism of your enemies. RL.)
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To: BIGLOOK
I might have another story for you to review since we do recognize the honor and courage of our allies as well as that of our own.

Shoot me the name BIGLOOK! I'm game!! :-)

98 posted on 08/19/2007 8:35:13 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
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To: Old Sarge

LOL!! Done! :-)


99 posted on 08/19/2007 8:36:37 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
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To: The Mayor

I say 4th. Kathy says 3rd because she thinks her 1st place doesn’t count. :-)


100 posted on 08/19/2007 8:38:58 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
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