1. CAPTAIN CHARLES UPHAM Made by Dannielle.S

2. BIOGRAPHY New Zealand Soldier Born: 21 September 1908 Christchurch New Zealand Died: 22 November 1994 (aged 84) Christchurch New Zealand Years of service: 1939-1945 Rank: Captain Other work: Famer Full name: Charles Hazlitt Upham Parents: John Hazlitt Upham (Father) Agatha Mary Coats (Mother) Battles/Wars: Second world war Battle of Greece Battle of Crete North African campaign First battle of El Alamein

3. In September 1939, Charles was in the 2NZEF (2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force) at 30 years of age, then went to the 20th Canterbury-Otago, battalion, part of the New Zealand division. Charles also had five years experience in the New Zealand Territorial army. In which he held the rank of sergeant. He then signed on as a private, then he was soon promoted to temporary lance corporal, but was declined the place in an Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU)

4. In December, he was promoted to sergeant and later sailed to Egypt. In July 1940 he finally joined an OCTU. In March 1941, Charles battalion left to go to Greece, then with-drew to Crete and it was here, were he was wounded in action from 22 to 30 May 1941 that gained him his first ever Victoria Cross. When Charles was informed of this award his first response was "It's meant for all of the men." Then Charles was evacuated to Egypt and then promoted to captain. He also received a bar to his Victoria Cross for his actions on 14-15 July 1942 during the first battle of El Alamein.

5. Charles was a New Zealand soldier who earned the Victoria Cross twice, both during the second world war. One in Crete in May 1941, another one at Ruweisat Ridge Egypt in July 1942. He was the only New Zealander to receive the Victoria Cross twice, out of three people, also the only combat soldier to receive the award twice. As a result to Charles actions, Charles is often described as the most highly regarded commonwealth soldier of that war, as the Victoria Cross is the commonwealth's highest award in the face of the enemy.

6. King George VI had invested Charles with his first Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 11 May 1945. When the recommendation was made for a second Victoria Cross the King remarked to Major-General Howard Kippenberger that a bar to the Cross would be "Very unusual indeed' and enquired firmly "Does he Deserve it?" Kippenberger replied with "In my respectful opinion, sir, Charles won the Victoria Cross several times over." With this award Charles became the third man to be awarded a bar to a Victoria Cross.

7. After the war Charles returned to New Zealand, and the community raised $10,000 to buy him a new farm, but he declined the money and the money went to the C.H.Upham Scholarship for children of ex-serviceman to study at Lincoln Canterbury. Although somewhat hampered by his injuries, he became a successful farmer and served on the board of governors of Christ's collage for nearly 20 years. He and his wife Molly had 3 Daughters and lived on their farm until January 1994, when Charles poor health forced them to retire to Christchurch.

8. Charles died in Christchurch on 22 November 1994, surrounded by his wife and daughters. His funeral in the now-destroyed Christchurch Cathedral was conducted with full military honors. The streets of Christchurch were lined by over 5,000 people. Charles is buried in the graveyard of St Paul's Church Papanui. His death was also marked by a memorial service on May 5th 1995 in London's St Martin-in- the-fields church.