FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Charles Hazlitt Upham ~ April 20, 2015

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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!

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

Woof, woof, Brother!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

21 posted on 04/19/2015 7:13:34 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)

To: ConorMacNessa

22 posted on 04/19/2015 7:20:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

23 posted on 04/19/2015 7:21:39 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

24 posted on 04/19/2015 7:24:55 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Evening Ma and thanks for honoring tonight's Hero!

Zach, I and a friend had a great time today exercising our 2nd Amendment fun, lovely weather and company.

Is your Mom a Reggie expert now?

25 posted on 04/19/2015 7:36:09 PM PDT by PROCON (CRUZing into 2016 with TED!)

Aww...what a cutie! :)

26 posted on 04/19/2015 8:11:55 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC; GodBlessUSA; Mrs.Nooseman; AZamericonnie; HiJinx; Colonel_Flagg; ...

Thanks, galz, for another wonderful story of our American heroes.

Here is

Another One.....My Hometown Hero!

27 posted on 04/19/2015 8:18:29 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC

Of course, the hero tonight wasn’t an American! LOL!

28 posted on 04/19/2015 8:23:10 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

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

A Father Who Runs

April 20, 2015

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

Every day a father craned his neck to look toward the distant road, waiting for his son’s return. And every night he went to bed disappointed. But one day, a speck appeared. A lonesome silhouette stood against the crimson sky. Could that be my son? the father wondered. Then he caught sight of the familiar saunter. Yes, that has to be my son!

And so while the son was “still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). It is remarkable that the family patriarch did something that was considered undignified in Middle Eastern culture—he ran to meet his son. The father was full of unbridled joy at his son’s return.

The son didn’t deserve such a reception. When he had asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left home, it was as if he had wished his father dead. But despite all that the son had done to his father, he was still his son (v.24).

This parable reminds me that I’m accepted by God because of His grace, not because of my merits. It assures me that I’ll never sink so deep that God’s grace can’t reach me. Our heavenly Father is waiting to run to us with open arms.

Father, I’m so grateful for all Your Son did for me at the cross. I’m thankful for grace. I offer You a heart that desires to be like Jesus—merciful and gracious.

We deserve punishment and get forgiveness; we deserve God’s wrath and get God’s love. —Philip Yancey

INSIGHT: The parables of Luke 15 deal with recovering what was lost. In verses 3-7 the search is for a lost sheep; in verses 8-10, a lost coin; in verses 11-24, a lost son. Each time the emphasis is on the sense of urgency of the one who is searching.

29 posted on 04/19/2015 8:23:54 PM PDT by The Mayor (Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)

Glad you and Zach and friends had a good time exercising your 2nd Amendment rights.

Laundry done, Mom wheeled out the garage to see the garden (where she wants to put flowers), and now fed, and waiting for her TV show.

She’s less frustrated with driving Reggie. It’s not easy driving down a 36” hallway and then turning into a 28” doorway space with a toggle. Reggie is front wheel drive, so she has to pay attention to where those wheels are before any turning, and then moving forward enough not to scrape the rear, revolving wheels on the wall, doorjamb, wall, etc. I told her we don’t care. The next owner of the house can paint, replace doors, whatever.

She also has macular degeneration, so her eyesight is not good. I think she’s doing great...the alternative is staying in bed when I’m not home, or having someone come in and stay with her, and she doesn’t want anyone here.

30 posted on 04/19/2015 9:31:57 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...visitors today?

31 posted on 04/19/2015 9:37:45 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: ConorMacNessa

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

32 posted on 04/19/2015 9:39:20 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: ConorMacNessa

Thanks, Mac, for Emerson’s Concord Bridge.

33 posted on 04/19/2015 9:45:04 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

TAPS

RIP

J. R. DeWoody, USA
World War II Veteran

Amazing Grace

34 posted on 04/19/2015 10:01:13 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

((((((MA!!!!)))))

Precious Precious Ma!

How are the knees behaving today?

How is your Mom doing?

xoxooxxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Meeky

35 posted on 04/19/2015 10:03:29 PM PDT by MeekMom (He is risen, no longer in the grave. Death could not hold Him. Behold Christ the risen Lord!)

re: post 29

Very lovely post!

36 posted on 04/19/2015 10:05:58 PM PDT by MeekMom (He is risen, no longer in the grave. Death could not hold Him. Behold Christ the risen Lord!)

Good evening, MM...((HUGS))...hope you are feeling better.

Mom had a pretty good day today. She wanted to help with laundry, and go outside and see her flowerbeds. She can get downstairs with the stair lifts.

Then the walker into the laundry room. (That's the laundry room door on the far left.) Then I used the wheelchair that lives in the car to take her outside. Then she chose to use the walker and walk back to the stair lift from the garage. That's a lot of walking for her at one time. We will see if there are any consequences tomorrow.

My knees are sore after multiple trips up and down the stairs. One of these days I'll think about using the stair lifts.

37 posted on 04/19/2015 10:35:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

d:o) a hero none-the-less.

38 posted on 04/19/2015 10:43:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

Good morning, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul. Wonderful message!

Have a great week.

39 posted on 04/19/2015 10:46:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

oh boy. Well I’m really glad you have the lift installed in your home. That’s awfully handy.
If it’s okay with your Mom, it might save your knees if you started using the lift too.
Prayers continue for you both!

xoxoxoxoxo,
me

40 posted on 04/19/2015 11:30:17 PM PDT by MeekMom (He is risen, no longer in the grave. Death could not hold Him. Behold Christ the risen Lord!)

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