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| Charles Upham | |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles Upham |
| Birth date | 21 September 1908 |
| Birth place | Leadwood, New Zealand |
| Death date | 22 November 1994 |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Branch | New Zealand Military Forces |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 2nd New Zealand Division |
| Battles | World War II, North African campaign, Battle of Crete, First Battle of El Alamein, Greek campaign |
| Awards | Victoria Cross, Bar to the Victoria Cross, 1939–1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, New Zealand War Service Medal, 1939–45 Defence Medal |
Charles Upham
Charles Upham was a New Zealand soldier and farmer notable for being awarded the Victoria Cross twice, one of only three people associated with the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations to receive that distinction. Born in New Zealand and serving with the 2nd New Zealand Division during World War II, he saw action in the Greek campaign, the Battle of Crete and the North African campaign, notably at El Alamein. His wartime record, multiple escapes and postwar civic life made him a prominent figure in Wellington, Canterbury and national remembrance.
Born in 1908 in rural New Zealand, Upham grew up on a sheep station and attended local schools before undertaking agricultural training. His upbringing connected him to farming communities in Canterbury and he later worked on stations associated with South Island pastoral interests. Influences included neighbouring families, rural institutions and sporting associations typical of early 20th-century New Zealand life. He developed marksmanship and horsemanship skills that later proved useful in service with the New Zealand Military Forces.
Upham enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was posted to units that served under commanding officers from the New Zealand Division within the British Eighth Army. He fought in the Greek campaign and on Crete against elements of the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe, later deploying to the Western Desert Campaign where engagements included actions near Ruweisat Ridge and at El Alamein. He served alongside soldiers from formations such as the British Army, Australian Army and South African Army, and faced Axis forces linked to commanders active in North Africa. His leadership and small-unit actions earned recognition from division headquarters and allied corps staffs during periods of intense combat in 1941–1942.
Upham was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during operations in Crete and North Africa, with the first citation recognising actions that inflicted heavy losses on enemy forces while rescuing comrades. The subsequent award, a Bar to the Victoria Cross, was granted for later separate exploits during the First Battle of El Alamein where he led assaults, captured prisoners and held positions against counterattacks. These awards were announced in official honours lists that included other distinguished recipients from the British Commonwealth and were noted by contemporary media organisations and parliamentary bodies in Wellington and London.
After being wounded and captured during further fighting, Upham became a prisoner of war in camps run by Germany and endured confinement with other Allied captives from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Poland. He made multiple escape attempts, involving travel through regions influenced by Nazi Germany and contacts with underground networks such as resistance elements linked to countries including Italy and France. His ingenuity and persistence placed him in correspondence and reported encounters with senior Red Cross officials and led to transfers among camps, attracting attention from senior officers in Allied high commands.
Released at the end of hostilities, Upham returned to New Zealand and resumed farming on rural properties in Canterbury and other provincial centres. He engaged with veterans' organisations including local branches of associations that represented former members of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force and participated in commemorative events at memorials such as those maintained by municipal councils in Wellington and regional administrations. He was contacted by delegations from institutions including the British Legion, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association and educational establishments where he spoke on aspects of leadership illustrated by his wartime service.
Upham's unique double recognition with the Victoria Cross and Bar placed him alongside a short list of decorated figures remembered in national museums, military collections and regimental histories. Exhibits and biographical treatments have appeared in institutions such as national archives, war museums and university collections in New Zealand and United Kingdom repositories. Commemorations include plaques, named rolls in civic halls and inclusion in publications produced by historians of the Second World War, scholars studying gallantry awards and curators cataloguing artefacts from the North African campaign. His name appears in lists maintained by veteran services and in memorial registers associated with battles including El Alamein and the Battle of Crete.
Category:1908 births Category:1994 deaths Category:New Zealand military personnel Category:Recipients of the Victoria Cross (New Zealand)