Charles Upham

My inspiration, Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, was a New Zealand soldier who fought in World War 2. He is mostly known for being awarded the Victoria Cross, which is the most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Amazingly later, he was awarded the Bar meaning he won the Victoria Cross again; making him the first New Zealander to win it twice and one of only three in the world!

He was born on the 21st of September, 1908. He was born in central Christchurch. On leaving school he became a farmer after getting a degree in agriculture at Lincoln University. At the outbreak of the WW2 he joined the 2nd New Zealand expeditionary force (2nzef) at the age of 30. He signed of as a private and was soon promoted to temporary lance corporal and then sergeant.

He won his first VC in the attack against Maleme. He was injured but took out numerous machine gun posts. When he heard of a platoon that had become separated, he immediately began a rescue attempt. He went 600 yards with a corporal, killing two Germans on the way, before leading the men back to his platoon. He went on the rescue attempt himself as he felt it was to dangerous for his men.

It was at Galatas, on the 25th of May, that Charles Upham was Platoon Commander. His platoon came under heavy machine gun and mortar fire. After his platoon went to the safety of a ridge he himself observed the enemy. Then when the Germans advanced he led his platoon forward and they killed forty and forced the rest to scramble away in panic.
When his platoon was ordered to retire, he sent it back with the platoon Sargent and went to warn the other platoon that they were being cut off. But while he was on his mission he came under fire by two Germans as they shot at him he fell down and faked death and then crawled under a tree. His arm was broken so he rested his rifle in the fork of a tree, shot one, reset the bolt and shot the other. The German actually fell on the muzzle of the rifle.
Once again he used his quick thinking and kept a calm head at a time of great stress. I admire the way Upham didn't give up and say ... "OK you've got me". He thought quickly and acted promptly doing all he could in the situation. I believe this is a skill you can apply in life where ever you are and what ever you are doing. For example if you are caught in a crashed car, would you give up and die or would you grab something and try to smash the window to get out? When you are playing a game of rugby you need to think and act quickly just like Charles Upham. If you are in an exam and it is really hard, would you give up and walk out all would you do all of the other questions and then come back to it and try to solve it?

Charles Upham received his bar from a battle for Ruseweit ridge. The citation from the king stated that in the battle Charles was wounded twice. He took out a truck filled with soldiers and also a tank and several machine gun posts. But after winning a couple of objectives his gallant platoon, now reduced to six survivors, was overrun by the enemy and Captain Charles Upham was captured and sent to a POW camp.
After several escape attempts he was sent to Colditz Castle. Here he made more attempts. One in particular was that he tried to climb the fence in broad daylight but he became entangled in the barbed wire. Unbelievably, when the guard pointed a pistol at his head and threatened to shoot he calmly lit a cigarette and had a smoke. On another occasion, he was travelling on a train guarded by two Germans. He was only able to go to the toilet when the train was travelling at high speed so that he didn't jump out the toilet window. Nevertheless he did ... jumping out and knocking himself unconscious.
Charles demonstrated courage and desire. He was determined to escape and set himself a goal to achieve this. He escaped in so many different ways. I aim to, like Charles, set myself goals and work to achieve them. If I fail, I will try and try again.
He was calm in times of difficulty. Charles took risks and accomplished a great deal. I question whether I would deal so well with these situations and really admire him for it.
In my future would like to be brave and look on the positive. He show that there are plenty of people out there who have been in worse spots than we have been in and have survived and been better for it. When we think times are tough we should always look on this and face our challenges.

When Colditz Castle was captured by the Americans, Charles was one of the few who instead of going home, got the Americans to give him weapons and went back out to fight the Germans. 
When the war finished the people of Christchurch raised ten thousand dollars for Charles and his wife, Molly McTamny, to buy their dream farm but he refused and instead, organised a charity for the children of ex service men to go to Lincoln university. 
I respect Charles thoughts. He believed that his medals were not just owned by him but were earned by his platoon. This shows selflessness and being a team player. He has good old fashioned values and wanted to be treated just like all of the other returning soldiers. I admire the way he wanted his money to be used to help children rather than just him. What comes around goes around. Because of him I have thought more about being selfless; giving to those who need it more than I do and thinking of others. I value being a team player and will continue to develop this as I feel it is important in life.

In November 2006 Charles' VC and Bar were stolen from Waiouru Army Museum. It is hard to imagine who and why would steal such a unique piece of New Zealand history. They were eventually recovered after a reward of 300,000 was offered. 

Charles Upham is my inspiration because of his bravery, determination, courage and selflessness. I am blown away by his desire to never lie down and die. I respect the way the way he did what he knew was right and lived life to the fullest.
He inspires me to believe that good things happen to good people. He inspires me to be that good person.