Charles Upham

Charles Hazlitt Upham
Charles Hazlitt Upham
	Charles Upham in NZ field uniform
Nickname(s)	Pug
Born	21 September 1908; Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	22 November 1994 (aged 86); Christchurch, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	New Zealand Military Forces
Years of service	1939–45
Rank	Captain
Unit	20th Battalion, New Zealand 2nd Division
Battles/wars	Second World War Battle of Greece Battle of Crete; ; North African Campaign First Battle of El Alamein; ; ;
Awards	Victoria Cross & Bar; Mentioned in Despatches; New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal; Order of Honour (Greece);
Spouse(s)	Molly McTamney (m. 1945)
Children	3
Other work	Sheep farmer

Charles Hazlitt Upham, VC & Bar (21 September 1908 – 22 November 1994) was a New Zealand soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) twice during the Second World War - for gallantry in Crete in May 1941, and in Egypt, in July 1942. He was the most recent of three people to receive the VC twice, the only one to receive two VCs during the Second World War and the only combat soldier to receive the award twice. As a result, Upham is often described as the most highly decorated Commonwealth soldier of that war, as the VC is the Commonwealth's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

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