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| Born: September 21, 1908, Christchurch, New Zealand Ultimate Rank: Captain Last service position: 20th Battalion ( Canterbury Regiment ) 2nd NZEF Highest Award: Victoria Cross & Bar |  |  |
Charles Hazlitt Upham is the son of John Hazlitt Upham, barrister and solicitor, and Agatha Mary Upham, and was born at Christchurch on 21 September 1908. He married Mary Eileen, daughter of James McTamney, on 20 June 1945 and has three daughters. Upham was educated at Waihi Preparatory School, Winchester, South Canterbury, at Christ's College, Christchurch, and at Lincoln College, Canterbury. He held a Diploma of Agriculture and was a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers. In 1930 he began his life as a high-country musterer and shepherd, Upham later joined the Valuation Department. In the high country and hills of the Hurunui District as a sheep rancher, Upham developed his strength and physical endurance and keened his skills of observation and survival. He joined the Government Valuation Department in 1937, continuing to work on foot throughout the high country, his physical toughness was legendary with his fellow workers.
On the outbreak of the Second World War he enlisted in the 2nd NZEF on September 18, 1939. He then sailed with the First Echelon with the rank of sergeant, being promoted to Second Lieutenant on 2 November 1940; was promoted Lieutenant on 2 November 1941 and Captain on 8 May 1942. He was a prisoner of war from 1942 to 1945. After the war he became a sheep farmer at “Lansdowne”, Conway Flat, Hundalee, North Canterbury, and is a member of the Parnassus Rabbit Board and Conway Flat School Committee.
Upham was one of only three in history to achieve the distinguished honor of receiving the Victoria Cross twice in history, and the only one in World War II.
He won his first V.C. for actions between 22 and 30 May 1941 in Crete. In the words of the citation: “Second Lieutenant Upham displayed outstanding leadership and courage in the very close-quarter fighting. He was blown up by one mortar shell and badly wounded by another. He was also wounded in the foot, but in spite of his wounds and a severe attack of dysentery, he refused to go to hospital. He carried a wounded man back to safety when his company was forced to retire on 22 May and on 30 May he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans falling to his short-range fire.”
Upham was awarded the Victoria Cross for sustained gallantry, skill and leadership on Crete between 22 and 30 May 1941. At Maleme he was responsible for the destruction of four enemy machine-gun nests and brought out a wounded man under heavy fire. He then penetrated 600 yards into enemy-held territory and led out an isolated company. He was wounded three times in the next two days but remained in action. At Galatos, on 25 May, he led his platoon forward as the Germans advanced, killing 40 and forcing them to retire. When his platoon was ordered to retire he went back to warn other troops that they were in danger of being cut off. At Sphakia, on 30 May, he repulsed an enemy party advancing on Force HQ, 22 being killed before the remainder fled in panic.
Upham won the second V.C. or was awarded a Bar to the Victoria Cross for outstanding gallantry and magnificent leadership as a company commander in the attack on Ruweisat Ridge, Western Desert, on July 14–15,1942. He destroyed an entire truckload of German soldiers with hand grenades and, although twice wounded, led his men in the final assault. Held up by machine-gun posts and tanks he led his company forward to gain their objective, personally destroying a German tank, as well as several guns and vehicles with grenades. Though hit in the elbow with a bullet, with his arm broken, and weak from pain and loss of blood, he consolidated his newly won position before having his wounds dressed. He was removed to the regimental aid post, but immediately after his wounds had been dressed he returned to his men. Returning to his men he remained with them throughout the day under heavy artillery and mortar fire. He was again severely wounded and completely immobilized. He consolidated and held his position and despite exhaustion, loss of blood and further injuries (as a result of artillery and mortar fire that decimated most of his company) he stayed with the only six remaining members until, now unable to move, he was eventually overrun by the superior weight of the enemy forces and captured. The remains of his gallant company were all taken prisoners.
In the words of the citation: “Captain Upham, in spite of being twice wounded, insisted on remaining with his men. Just before dawn he led his company in a determined attack, capturing the objective after fierce fighting; he himself destroyed a German tank and several guns and vehicles with hand grenades. Although his arm had been broken by a machine-gun bullet, he continued to dominate the situation and when at last, weak from loss of blood, he had his wounds dressed, he immediately returned to his men, remaining with them until he was again severely wounded and unable to move.”
Typifying his character and nickname "Pug", he attempted to escape numerous times before being branded "dangerous" by the Germans and incarcerated in the infamous prison fortress Colditz. The escapades at Colditz are retold in at least a half dozen books and well worth a read.
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." The Complete Australian and New Zealand Victoria Cross Reference affirms that "without doubt Upham remains one of the most courageous leaders of any modern conflict". Charles Upham was unassumingly a true edge warrior.
On May 11 1945 King George VI pinned an official Victoria Cross onto Charles Upham's uniform. He returned to New Zealand in September 1945 and ceased expeditionary service in November 1945. In April 1946 he was an official member of the New Zealand Victory Contingent.
Epitomizing a certain strain of Kiwi modesty, Charles Upham was a quiet, modest man, quite embarrassed by the accolades he received and attempted to avoid international media attention by shunning publicity. Upham returned to New Zealand after the war to resume life as a sheep farmer in Hundalee, an isolated area north of Christchurch. He married Molly McTamney in 1945 and lived and farmed on their property ‘Landsdown’ at Conway Flat. When the people of Canterbury raised a fund of 10,000 pounds to purchase a farm in recognition of his gallantry, he politely but firmly refused to accept the money and instead insisted the money be put towards an educational scholarship for children of returned soldiers. In 1949 the Charles Hazlitt Upham Scholarship, tenable by sons of ex-servicemen at the University of Canterbury or the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, was established from the money raised. It was rumored that Charlie Upham never allowed a German-made car or machine onto the farm.
Upham died at the age of 86 in Christchurch. His V.C. medals were on display at the QEII Army Memorial Museum in Waiouru.
Third to be Twice Awarded the VC and the "Only" Combat Soldier
The Victoria Cross is awarded for, "... most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."
Traditional explanation of the source of the gunmetal from which the medals are struck is that it derives from Russian cannon captured at the siege of Sevastopol or made from the gunmetal captured during the Crimean War but conflicting sources have brought question to this thought.
The decoration itself is a cross pattée, 41 mm high, 36 mm wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription FOR VALOUR. This was originally to have been FOR BRAVERY, until it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who thought some might erroneously consider that only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle. The decoration, suspension bar and link weigh about 0.87 troy ounces (27 g). The cross is suspended by a ring from a seriffed "V" to a bar ornamented with laurel leaves, through which the ribbon passes. The reverse of the suspension bar is engraved with the recipient's name, rank, number and unit.On the reverse of the medal is a circular panel on which the date of the act for which it was awarded is engraved in the center. The ribbon is crimson, 38 mm (1.5 inches) wide.
Awards of the Victoria Cross have always been announced in the pages of the London Gazette. A recommendation for the VC is normally issued by an officer at regimental level and has to be supported by three witnesses. In the case of a gallant and daring act being performed by a squadron, ship's company or a detached body of men (such as marines) in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross then a ballot is drawn. The officers select one officer, the NCOs select one individual and the private soldiers or seamen select two individuals. For both individual and group awards the recommendation is then passed up the military hierarchy until it reaches the Secretary of State for War, (now the Secretary of State for Defence) and then the monarch. Today, Royal assent is still required and the VCs are presented by the monarch.
All Victoria Cross award designees are afforded the grave marker with these markings: 
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Upham's 'Gazetted' Announcements 
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[ London Gazette, 14 October 1941 ]. Maleme, Crete, 22nd - 30th May 1941 - Second Lieutenant Charles Hazlitt Upham, 20th Bn 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force ( Canterbury Regiment )
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 dysentry 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.
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[ London Gazette, 26 September 1945 ]. El Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt, 14th - 15th July 1942 - Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, 20th Bn 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force ( Canterbury Regiment )
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, despite a broken arm. After his wounds were dressed, he returned to his men but was again severely wounded and unable to move.
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Following the war Charles Upham was offered the New Zealand government's scheme of giving ex-soldiers the chance of owning a farm of their own. However, Upham didn't believe he deserved special recognition and therefore turned the offer down and instead asked for the sum to be put into the form of a scholarship. He later purchased a farm of his own by financing it himself. He lived in peace and relative solitude on his North Canterbury farm for the rest of his life apart from making the long journey to the United Kingdom in 1956 to attend the Victoria Cross Centenary Review held in Hyde Park, London.
Upham's Medals... A Sad Story
The Press Stories:
IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED IN NEW ZEALAND THAT THE CHARLES UPHAM VICTORIA CROSS & BAR WWII MEDAL GROUP HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY:
THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, LONDON, ENGLAND
16 November 2006 
Medal entitlement of Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, 20th Bn, ( Canterbury Regiment ) 2nd NZEF
Victoria Cross & Bar
1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
War Medal ( 1939-45 ) + MiD Oakleaf
New Zealand War Service Medal ( 1939-45 )
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )
New Zealand Commemorative Medal ( 1990 )
Captain Charles Upham's Victoria Cross & Bar, the only double VC ever awarded to a combat soldier, has been bought by the Imperial War Museum in London, England. Under the purchase agreement the VC will be lent to New Zealand for a period of 999 years and therefore will remain in the country. The director of the Army Museum, Waiouru, confirmed the VC & Bar group had been sold and would go on permanent display at the museum.
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The Imperial War Museum's 'Summary of Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on 6th September 2006' states that:
"The Trustees approved the acquisition of the medals of Charles Hazlitt Upham VC, subject to full funding being provided by the Garfield Weston Foundation, and an agreement which would permit the medals' subsequent long term loan to the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum in New Zealand."
Founded the in 1958 the Garfield Weston Foundation is a UK based, general grant-giving charity endowed by the late W. Garfield Weston and members of his family. In the year to 5th April 2005, the Foundation supported 1,862 applications with grants totaling over £38.7 million.
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In April 2006 New Zealand newspapers reported that the daughters of Charles Upham were prepared to sell their father's Victoria Cross medal group as they were all in agreement. The family thought it only proper to offer the group to the New Zealand government for a sum of NZ$3.3 million ( £1.17 million ), the same sum they were offered a year earlier by a private overseas collector. The New Zealand Defence Minister said "The sale of Charles Upham's Victoria Cross and Bar would be a huge public loss. However, the Government does not believe it is appropriate for the public to pay the NZ$3.3 million asked for the medals. This would clearly be unfair to the 19 other families who have gifted or lent VCs
to New Zealand museums seeking nothing in return".
Therefore, this move by the Imperial War Museum has ended nationwide controversy in New Zealand over the fate of the Charles Upham VC & Bar and the wishes of the Upham family have been met.
Then the "Theft"!
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THEFT OF NINE VICTORIA CROSSES FROM
THE WAIOURU ARMY MUSEUM IN NEW ZEALAND
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Early on the morning of Sunday, 2nd December 2007, thieves broke into the rear of the Waiouru Army Museum in New Zealand forcing their way through a fire escape and targeted the Alcove where the museum's Victoria Cross collection was on display. The theft appeared to be well planned and the thieves were able to leave the premises before the security guards arrived. It is known that nine Victoria Crosses, two George Crosses and an Albert Medal were included in the haul of medals that were stolen.
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Brigadier Leslie ANDREW VC
2nd Lieutenant Keith ELLIOTT VC
Captain Samuel FRICKLETON VC
Lieutenant John GRANT VC
Sergeant John HINTON VC
Sergeant Alfred HULME VC
Major Reginald JUDSON VC
Lieutenant Colonel Harry LAURANT VC
Captain Charles UPHAM VC & Bar
Ken HUDSON GC
David RUSSELL GC
Randolph RIDING AM
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Aussie VC medals 'well protected'
December 03, 2007 05:14pm
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THE Australian collection of Victoria Cross medals – the largest in the world – is as secure as it can possibly be, a senior war memorial official said today.
Not so the New Zealand collection after a break-in at the national war museum, which resulted in the theft of 100 rare medals, including nine VCs.
Most prized is the VC and bar awarded to Second Lieutenant Charles Upham, one of just three soldiers ever to win the highest bravery honour twice.
Nick Fletcher, a senior curator of heraldry and technology at the Australian War Memorial, said the organisation had long recognised its collection of 61 VCs – including 59 of 96 awarded to Australians – was highly desirable, valuable and portable. Mr Fletcher said the war memorial's VC collection was very well looked after and appropriate precautions against theft had been taken. "Obviously we are not going to discuss what measures are in place but the Memorial does have a very high level of security for all its collection items but particularly for Victoria Crosses," he said. Mr Fletcher said VCs were extremely valuable with their value rising quickly in recent times, especially for better- known medals.
The VC awarded to Captain Alfred Shout at Gallipoli sold for a record $1.2 million last year to media tycoon Kerry Stokes who donated it to the Memorial on behalf of the RSL. There is speculation the stolen NZ medals could find their way to a private collector. Mr Fletcher said there were obsessive collectors in every field including medals. But he doubted there would be much of a black market for such items as they were so well known and difficult to shift without attracting attention.
"Even if they don't show up for 100 years, these medals will still be known to be stolen medals," he said.
"If someone has agreed to take them, then they know they will never be able to display them."
Australia's other VCs are held in various museums, RSL clubs, private collections and by the families of the original recipients. Mr Fletcher said the value of VCs and associated insurance costs made it increasingly difficult for the medals to remain in private hands.
"The problem which is likely to be increased by this most recent development is that people won't be inclined to display the original medal," he said. "They are likely to display replicas. If it is stolen its actual value is minimal."
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