FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC ~ 27 June 2022

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

           

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!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: CPT Charles Hazlitt Upham VC ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[SkyDancer]

~ Good Evening ~

~ Hot Today (89F) Monday (91F) Tuesday Normal - 64F ~

~ Good Evening ~

~ Welcome To My World ~

I’m Down There Somewhere

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Monday,
June 27, 2022

God’s Provision

Read: 2 Kings 4:1–7

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” 2 Kings 4:2

Three-year-old Buddy and his mom went to church each week to help unload groceries from the food ministry truck. When Buddy overheard his mom telling his grandmother that the delivery truck broke down, he said, “Oh, no. How will they do food ministry?” His mom explained that the church would have to raise money to buy a new truck. Buddy smiled. “I have money,” he said, leaving the room. He returned with a plastic jar decorated with colorful stickers and filled with coins, which amounted to a little over $38. Though Buddy didn’t have much, God combined his sacrificial offering with gifts from others to provide a new refrigerated truck, so that the church could continue serving their community.

A small amount offered generously is always more than enough when placed in God’s hands. In 2 Kings 4, a poor widow asked the prophet Elisha for financial assistance. He told her to take inventory of her own resources, reach out to her neighbors for help, then follow his instructions (vv. 1–4). In a miraculous display of provision, God used the widow’s small amount of oil to fill all the jars she collected from her neighbors (vv. 5–6). Elisha told her, “Sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left” (v. 7).

When we focus on what we don’t have, we risk missing out on watching God do great things with what we do have. — Xochitl Dixon

When has God multiplied your resources in a miraculous way? When has He used you to combine your resources with the gifts of others to meet a bigger need in your community?

Faithful Provider, please help me to be mindful and grateful as I faithfully manage and share all You’ve given me.

Bible in a year: Job 8–10; Acts 8:26–40

[BatGuano]

Thank you, dear Kathy, for presenting another hero to us that we might not have known. Captain Upham is now our deserving hero.
Love,
Bat

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...hope you haven’t been roasting today.

Sun is coming out and we have some blue sky. Haven’t seen either Momma today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

I thought you might get a little rain today when I first checked the LH cam this afternoon. Was disappointed when I checked again a little while ago and saw sunshine. I know y’all are disappointed too.

It was pretty warm here today but not like it was a couple of days ago. Right now, I’m begging the dark clouds I can see to the west to hurry up and move over here. Rain is SO close but is taking its jolly good time getting here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...hope you have someplace to stay cool. Your temps seem to be jumping all over.

I’m not liking the heat we are having...mid 60s to 80, and smoke in the mornings from 1 local and many far west. It rolls in early, stays most of the day, and finally it leaves.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Are you rested and ready to take on the new week?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Bat...glad you enjoyed reading about another hero, and this one from New Zealand.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

How’s your weekend been? Did Robin keep you busy with a “list” or did you get to kick back? :-)

It was a little slow at the museum this weekend but it was still fun.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi, ML...((HUGS))...did you and Tippy have a fun adventure at your new place? So many new smells.

Did she see things to chase? And try to abstain?

[PROCON]

Hi radu!

Good weekend, our weather is really (finally) warming up, high 90's today.

I was over at Robin's visiting, we moved patio furniture out of storage and did some yardwork but the heat sure tires me quickly.

Did I tell you son is working as a postal worker now? He's been working 12-15 hours/day with only one day off, but the money is great and he enjoys his job.

Hotter tomorrow too, how's that corn looking, getting any precipitation?

[The Mayor]

I should be ready. I hope so: )

[lightman]

Thank you for reminding us of our allies’ heroism!

[radu]

Ugh! High 90s are definitely too hot to be outside doing anything other than hanging out at a lake, swimming. We’ve had those temps the past three weeks and I’ve gotten out VERY little.

No, you hadn’t told me about your son being a postal worker now. How long’s he been doing that?

Our corn is pitiful right now and I’m near tears at the moment. I thought we’d get some rain this evening with the “cold” front moving through but it’s so dry, the moisture was leeched from the clouds before they got here.
Next chance for rain isn’t until late in the week and that might be too late.

Did you see the pics of the newest additions to the museum I posted last night? If not, I’ll post them again. They’re gorgeous.