Charles Hazlitt Upham
Second Lieutenant (later Captain), 20th Battalion 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (Canterbury Regt.)
- Register No.
- 1246 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant (later Captain) (register: Second Lieutenant / Captain) all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 20th Battalion 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (Canterbury Regt.) (register: 20th Battalion, NZEF) all NZEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 22–30 May 1941; 14–15 July 1942 on this day → all of 1941 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 14th October 1941 and 26th September 1945 (BAR) on this day → all of 1941 →
- Born
- 21st September 1908 at Christchurch N.Z
- Died
- 21st November 1994 at Christchurch N.Z
- Bar
- Awarded the Victoria Cross twice the three VC & Bar holders →
- Memorial / grave
- HQ Dunedin RSA and in the Quadrangle of Christ's College, Christchurch, N.Z
Digest of citation
On the island of Crete, between 22nd and 30th May 1941 Second Lieutenant Upham displayed outstanding leadership and courage in the very close quarter fighting that ensued. After being blown up by one mortar shell he was severely wounded by a second. He was also wounded in the foot. In spite of these wounds and a debilitating attack of dysentery he refused to go off to recieve medical attention. On 22nd May, when his company was forced to retire, he carried a severely wounded man back to safety. On 30th May he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans becoming casualties to his devastating fire from short-range
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
UPHAM, Charles Hazlitt. (Reg. No.1246)
Second Lieutenant (later Captain) 20th Battalion 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (Canterbury Regt.)
London Gazetted on 14th October 1941 and 26th September 1945 (BAR)
Born on 21st September 1908 at Christchurch N.Z.
Died on 21st November 1994 at Christchurch N.Z.
Memorials at HQ Dunedin RSA and in the Quadrangle of Christ's College, Christchurch, N.Z.
Digest of Citation reads: On the island of Crete, between 22nd and 30th May 1941 Second Lieutenant Upham displayed outstanding leadership and courage in the very close quarter fighting that ensued. After being blown up by one mortar shell he was severely wounded by a second. He was also wounded in the foot. In spite of these wounds and a debilitating attack of dysentery he refused to go off to recieve medical attention. . On 22nd May, when his company was forced to retire, he carried a severely wounded man back to safety. On 30th May he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans becoming casualties to his devastating fire from short-range.
Citation for BAR reads: At El Ruweisat Ridge in the Western Desert, on 14/15 July 1942, Captain Upham, in spite of having been wounded twice, insisted on remaining with his company . Just before dawn he led them in a determined attack, and, after fierce fighting, captured the objective. He personally destroyed a German tank, along with various guns and vehicles, by using hand grenades with deadly effect. His arm having been broken by a machine-gun bullet did not prevent him from. continuing to dominate the situation and when eventually, weak from loss of blood, he had to go and have his wounds attended. After treatment he returned immediately to his company, remaining with them until he was again so severely wounded that he was unable to carry on.
Alf's notes on his life
Citation for BAR reads: At El Ruweisat Ridge in the Western Desert, on 14/15 July 1942, Captain Upham, in spite of having been wounded twice, insisted on remaining with his company . Just before dawn he led them in a determined attack, and, after fierce fighting, captured the objective. He personally destroyed a German tank, along with various guns and vehicles, by using hand grenades with deadly effect. His arm having been broken by a machine-gun bullet did not prevent him from. continuing to dominate the situation and when eventually, weak from loss of blood, he had to go and have his wounds attended. After treatment he returned immediately to his company, remaining with them until he was again so severely wounded that he was unable to carry on.
Register note: Bar
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: HQ Dunedin RSA and in the Quadrangle of Christ's College, Christchurch, N.Z
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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