FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC - 12 August 2019

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC

           

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!

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

August 12

Celebrating God’s Creativity

Bible in a Year : Psalms 84–86; Romans 12

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6

As music filled the church auditorium, color-blind artist Lance Brown stepped onstage. He stood in front of a large white canvas, with his back to the congregation and dipped his brush into black paint. With smooth swipes, he completed a cross. Stroke after stroke with brushes and his hands, this visual storyteller created images of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. He covered the large patches of the canvas with black paint and added blue and white to finish a now abstract painting in less than six minutes. He picked up the canvas, turned it upside down, and revealed a hidden image—a compassion-filled face—Jesus.

Brown said he’d been reluctant when a friend suggested he speed-paint during a church service. Yet he now travels internationally to lead people into worship as he paints and shares Christ with others.

The apostle Paul affirms the value and purpose of the diverse gifts God has dispersed to His people. Every member of His family is equipped to glorify the Lord and build others up in love (Romans 12:3–5). Paul encourages us to identify and use our gifts to edify others and point to Jesus, serving diligently and cheerfully (vv. 6–8).

God has given each of us spiritual gifts, talents, skills, and experiences to serve wholeheartedly behind the scenes or in the forefront. As we celebrate His creativity, He uses our uniqueness to spread the gospel and build up other believers in love.

By Xochitl Dixon

Reflect & Pray

Who can you encourage to use their God-given gifts to serve others? How will you do the same?

God, thank You for Your creativity. May I reflect it today.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Only one who survived winning his VC. One of the others, Noel Chavesse who sadly didn’t, served with my g grandad’ s regiment the King’s Liverpool Regiment (Now part of the Duke of Lancaster’s).

[lightman]

Another touching tribute.

Have a great week.

[mountainlion]

It seems that some have a gift to make a way through a battle field and rescue wounded men. A headlong charge is foolish.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope your back got a good rest this weekend, and a great party was had for your grandson.

Onward!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, sinsofsolarempirefan. Thanks for adding to the history.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our thanks to your g grandad for his service to his country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC ~

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[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Ya know, CPT Upham looks a lot like Paul Newman on that book cover.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

((((HUGS))))

[luvie]

Great story of a very brave hero! Thanks for introducing him to us.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, lightman...thanks, and you have a good week as well. It’s still hot here.

[lightman]

Dry cold front came through early Saturday morning.

Last night was the first time since July 1 that we had a low under 60....a VERY welcome change!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion...some DO seem to have that gift.

Are you enjoying your summer?

[luvie]

Howdy, radu! How was your weekend? Still under the heat dome?

I’m sitting here in front of the open window breathing in air so cool that I’m shivering and had to put my sox on. LOL!

[luvie]

Gosh! He does! 💙

[radu]

Howdy, LUV.

Today’s been pretty low-key - partially recuperating from a hectic day yesterday. Got some energy this evening and have been getting some housecleaning done.

That chilly air up there sounds sooooooooooo nice. We won’t feel any “sooooooooooo nice” for a while. Hot, hot, and some more hot for a while yet.

How much longer will you be up there enjoying good times with the family?