FAME NOT ACCEPTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 256, 27 September 1945, Page 5

FAME NOT ACCEPTED

REQUEST FOR PRIVACY. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 26. Captain Uphani, during an unwilling interview, described the El. ltuweisat operation in which lie won the Bar to liis Victoria Cross as a big scale attack.

“It was one of the big shows just before Monty took over,” he said. “It was a successful show, but there were many casualties and a lot of Christchurch chaps went west in it.” The battle took the form of a, breakthrough in which the 18tli, 19tli, 20tli, 21st, 22nd and 23rd Battalions took part. Unfortunately, the success could not be exploited, and that was why so many casualties were suffered. During the battle Captain Uphani was commading C Company of the 20th Battalion.

Captain Uphani does not accept the view that he is now a figure of unique fame.' “I never did anything out of the ordinary. I can tell you that,” he said, and lie protested at the suggestion that the whole Empire would be talking about him today. He- made an almost pathetic plea for some privacy and rest.

While he was most appreciative of the spirit which has prompted so many welcome home celebrations and all the functions arranged in his honour, he feels that sufficient has been done as far as he personally is concerned, and considers that the new distinction does not require any further public recognition.

Captain Uphani is a son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Uphani, of Christchurch, his father being well known in legal circles. Captain Upliam was horn in 1908, and was educated at the Waihi preparatory school, Christ’s College, and Lincoln 'Agricultural College, where he played in the first fifteen. After gaining his diploma in agriculture lie worked as a shepherd on a number of back-country sheep stations, and then joined the Government Valuation Department. When war was declared he enlisted at once. ■