NZ War Hero | Double-Victoria Cross Winner
Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham was a New Zealand soldier who earned the Victoria Cross twice during World War II, first in Crete in May 1941, and then at Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt, in July 1942.
Upham was born in Christchurch on 21 September 1908. Educated at Christ's College, he went on to attend the Canterbury Agricultural College (now known as Lincoln University) where he earned a diploma in agriculture in 1930.
Before the war, Upham worked first as a sheep farmer and manager, and later as farm valuer for the New Zealand Government. He eventually joined the Valuation Department in 1937, as assistant district valuer for Timaru.
Shortly after New Zealand declared war in 1939, Upham enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF). Despite his years of experience in the New Zealand Territorial Army, he signed on as a private. However, by December, he received a promotion to sergeant and a week later sailed for Egypt.
Upham gained his first Victoria Cross after a battle in Crete in 1941, in which he was acknowledged for his outstanding gallantry and leadership. Destroying numerous enemy posts, rescuing a company, which had become isolated, and showing great courage in the face of extreme danger all contributed to his achievement.
The battle began with an airborne invasion by the Nazis on the 20th of May 1941, and lasted for ten days. Despite intelligence gained prior to invasion, the Allies were unable to repel the German onslaught, and by June 1st Crete was under German control. Upham's battalion evacuated to Egypt and Upham received a promotion to captain.
The next year in mid July, Upham saw action again during the First Battle of El Alamein. Despite being twice wounded, he remained with his men to take part in the final assault, and once again showed extreme bravery and resolve for which he received a Bar to his VC. As a result, Upham remains the only fighting soldier to be decorated with the VC and bar.
Unfortunately, due to his serious injuries Upham fell into enemy hands and was taken prisoner. He was sent to an Italian hospital to recuperate but after numerous escape attempts the Germans incarcerated him in the infamous Colditz on 14 October 1944.
American forces eventually liberated Colditz in 1945 releasing Upham and his fellow prisoners, he returned to NZ in September 1945. Upham died in Canterbury on 22 November 1994, and received a funeral with full military honours.
