Charles upham family

Double recipient of the Victoria Cross

For the U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, see Charles W. Upham

CaptainCharles Hazlitt UphamVC & Bar (21 September 1908 – 22 November 1994) was a New Zealand soldier decorated for actions during World War II.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, he attended Christ's College and later the Canterbury Agricultural College, where he earned a diploma in agriculture. Before the outbreak of the war, Upham worked as a sheep farmer and a manager of a high country station and later at the Government Valuation Department.

In 1939, with the advent of World War II, he enlisted in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, where he quickly rose through the ranks.

Upham's first Victoria Cross was awarded for his actions in the Battle of Crete in May 1941, where he displayed remarkable courage and leadership under fire.

Despite being wounded, he led multiple attacks against enemy positions and helped evacuate wounded soldiers.