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

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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!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hey there, Pro...he really earned his “hero” title.

Hope you are finally enjoying nice weather.

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first....radu grabs the gold!!

[luvie]

Thank God for heroes like Cpt. Charles Upham! They help keep this world safe and free from tyranny.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....Janey snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....The Mayor bags the bronze!!

[PROCON]

Thanks, I did see the cannon you posted recently, thanks.

Son just got on with the PO and has been working there for about 6 weeks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Really, really hoping the dark clouds make it to your corn.

I think we had heavy dew overnight...I could just make out dry spots under the trucks across the street, but the gauge wasn’t even wet.

[radu]

Those cannons are impressive in person because they’re so big. Must have been a tough job for the soldiers who had to wrestle them around because people were smaller back in those days. Six large men had their hands full getting them off the trailer and into position this weekend. Oof!

So he’s been a postal worker for a little while then? Glad he enjoys it since he puts in so many hours each day. A nice paycheck certainly helps. LOL
A friend of Hubby’s has worked for the Post Office for many years and loves it. They must have something good going.

[radu]

We didn’t get a drop of rain. The air is so dry, the whole mess jut fizzled out at the last minute. No chance for rain until Thursday and that’s only 20%. It’s no looking good for the crops.

Someone in the Lake Hood chat mentioned there were a few sprinkles at their house this morning but I don’t know what area of Anchorage she lives in. Maybe a few dropped at your house too.

Any sign of either of the mommas yet? It’s still early. Maybe they ate lunch elsewhere and are saving your house for supper. :-)

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, our cool, rainy Spring suddenly turned into a sunny, HOT summer, emphasis on hot the official 1st day of summer last Tuesday and we're enjoying it.

Thank goodness for A/C though, I even have to cover my car's steering wheel with a towel or it gets too hot to steer.

Hope all is well your way!

[Kathy in Alaska]

No momma’s yet...I just went and looked.

And only 5 others, but they’ve been here all day, just hanging out on the creek bank.

[radu]

Maybe the mommas found some spot that had plenty to eat for today and will show up tomorrow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I just had visitors! The other lady duck might be an auntie, as momma didn't see too concerned.

[luvie]

Awww...how adorable! They seem right at home! Which, I guess they are. Sort of like all the cats that adopted us. :) What kind of ducks are they?

[radu]

Well good! At least one momma showed up with the kids for supper. Maybe the other duck is Momma’s BFF. :-)
I can already see a difference in the size of the babies. They’re growing so fast.

[radu]

Those ducks are very much at home. LOL They have a good thing going and they know it.

They’re mallards.

[luvie]

They do seem calm and unafraid. I guess Auntie Kathy takes good care of them. :)

It’s raining here in Bryan. Feels so good. I nearly didn’t recognize the sound of the thunder. LOL!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mallards....they are just little guys, and momma is super alert!

Are you staying cool on your trip? Have you and the girls done anything exciting? Or just enjoying hanging out?

[radu]

Glad you’re getting to enjoy some rain there.

We almost got some this evening but it fizzled out JUST before it reached us. Not a drop fell here. The next chance for rain is Thursday and that’s a slim chance.