A New Dictionary

Charles was a student at Christ’s College in Christchurch from 1923 to 1927, where he made little impression academically. He developed a love for the land, especially the great spaces of the broad sheep stations of Canterbury, where men live among the grandeur that knows few barriers save the sprawling rivers and snow-capped mountains. Charles enrolled at Canterbury Agricultural College (Lincoln College) and was soon enthralled with work. He spent six years working in the rugged terrain of Canterbury before joining the Land Valuation Department.

When the call for Army volunteers went out in 1939, Charles Upham lost no time enlisting. Intent on learning the essentials of fighting, he cared little for parade ground niceties and the conventions of Army life and rank. In 1941 the New Zealand Division was posted to Greece. Before long they were forced back by the Germans to Crete. When the Germans invaded Crete two New Zealand battalions, the 20th and 28th, were detailed to assault the enemy occupied Maleme airfield. Suffering from dysentery, Upham led his platoon successfully against many machine-gun nests, never shying away from danger. Despite the determination of the New Zealanders, the airfield remained in enemy hands. As they withdrew to the coast for evacuation the troops fought on valiantly, opposing the Germans at every opportunity. The Allied forces embarked on rescue vessels and retreated to North Africa. Although the attempt to hold Crete was unsuccessful, Charles Upham was awarded the Victoria Cross for his calculated bravery and daring.

In 1942, Field Marshal Rommel was pressing hard on the Allies in North Africa. On June 27 the New Zealand Division found themselves on and ‘island’ in the desert of Minqar Qaim surrounded by German troops. While both sides exchanged fire, Upham ran from section to section seemingly oblivious to the danger of being hit. That night the New Zealanders charged at Rommel’s encircling troops and punched a way through the ring. Charles Upham possessed himself of a sack full of grenades which he used to destroy German transports. Although wounded by his own grenades he kept pushing through, never relenting in his onslaught. But to mention Upham is to name but one man whose exploits in the break out were dramatic. There were dozens of men whose heroism went unseen in the darkness.


The next mission for Upham was to capture Ruweisat Ridge, an important feature overlooking the battlefield of Alamein. Charles and his men fought gallantly through stiff opposition from the Germans to reach the ridge. The Allies succeeded in routing the enemy, but tragically the promised tank reinforcements never arrived. Without tank support the New Zealanders were an easy target for Rommel’s troops and were soon utterly defeated.


The prisoners were dispersed to prisoner of war camps throughout enemy territory. Upham passed through a few prison camps and made a number of escape attempts, as well as disrespecting and annoying the Germans. Naturally this led to him being transferred to Oflag IV C, a camp for troublesome prisoners – Colditz.

Liberated when the Americans captured the area, the prisoners of Colditz were shipped back to England. On 20th June 1945 Charles married his sweetheart Molly McTamney. Once back in New Zealand it was announce that for his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in action at Minqar Qaim and Ruweisat Ridge, Charles Upham had been awarded a second Victoria Cross. No combatant soldier had ever before attained two Victoria Crosses.

Charles always shied away from media attention, sometimes flatly refusing to talk to journalists. In 1946 he and his wife moved to Lansdowne Station in North Canterbury, fulfilling Charlie’s dream of owning a farm. He stayed on the land for 48 years and raised his three daughters. In 1994 his failing health forced him to move to Christchurch, where he died on November 22 age 86. Thus passed a brave and gallant soldier.