GREAT PRAISE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23317, 28 September 1945, Page 5

GREAT PRAISE

British Press Features News Heroism Acclaimed N.Z.P A.—Special Curie.-po-ideul (11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. All British national newspapers feature Captain Charles Upham's decoration. The majority publish his photograph and many that of his wife. ' The Times" carried the story on the mam news page, the headlines stating that it was the third award of the Bar in 89 years. It also remarked that it was the sixth V.C. awarded to the New Zealand military forces and the 164th of the late war. The "Daily Telegraph” on the main inside news page declared: "Tlie New Zealander s bar co his V.C. is the third ever awarded," and remarked that the announcement was made hi a special supplement to the London Gazette. The "Daily Herald” carried a single column panel a loot deep on the front page with the photograph of Mrs Upnam under the heading, "V.C. waits down on the farm.’’ Tne story states that Mrs Upham is the happiest woman in London, it reports their romance, how she missed seeing him oy one day in Brussels, and adds: "Now I am waiting for a passage back to New Zealand. He is getting ready our little farm near Christchurch, and there we shall try to forget the war.” Lady Freyberg at that moment joined Mrs Upham, who remarked: "Her husband was my husband's inspiration.” On an inside page the “Daily Herald” carries the main story and Captain Upham's photograph with the headlines: "Twice V.C. —once flop in O.C.T.U. course," and reproduces the headlines from the "Daily Herald” published in 1941, when Captain Upham won the V.C. in Crete. It stated: “No headline can tell the heroism of these men.” It remarks that Captain Upham passed out at the bottom in his O.C.T.U. course because his theories of military tactics clashed with those of his instructors and the text books, and adds that he later proved one of the finest tacticians among the junior officers of the New Zealand Division. On an inside page the “Daily Express" in a double column reproduces six sketches depicting, first, LieutenantColonel A. Martin-Leake winning the V.C. and Bar in South Africa in 1902 and at Zcnnebeke in 1915, Chavasse winning them at the Somme in 1916 and Passchendaele in 1917, and then Captain Upham winning them in Crete m 1941 and at El Ruweisat in 1942. It panels the uniqueness of the event and under the sketches states: “A voice was heard above the battle.” The first double V.C. of the war for "incorrigible hater,” said the “Daily Mail” and "New. Zealand hero.” It uses a double column photograph of Captain Upham sharing a tin of bully beef in the desert early in 1942, when he was a lieutenant and had already won the V.C., and in a single column underneath reproduced photographs of Leake and Chavasse. Roil of Heroes “To-day," says the "Daily Mail,” “the name of Captain Upham goes on the roil of heroes that contained only two names.” It states that ne returned to New Zealand belore V.J. Day, hoping to get a crack at the Japanese, mat when the Americans freed him he borrowed equipment to carry on fighting alongside or them —but was told it was against orders. The "Daily Mail" adds mat Captain Upnam refused to talk of nis experiences with his wife, who said: “He used to get awfully annoyed when I spoke of nis experiences. He did not even hint that he did anything special in the desert." The story ends: "Now his wife hopes he will take a holiday from sheepfarming and fly back to London to receive the V.C. from the King." The “News Chronicle” features the story on the front page under a photograph with the caption: “Hundreds of others have done more than I,” and uses the headlines, “First combatant to win the V.C. twice." The article emphasises this point and says: “The two previous double V.C. s were officers of the R.A.M.C.” Mrs Upham is quoted as saying that Charlie was taken by the Italians. His last wound had smashed his arm. They took him to a prisoh hospital and, while he lay there, a doctor marked his arm with blue pencil. He asked another New Zealander what the mark was. ‘They are taking off your arm,’ he was told. When the. Italians tried to put him on the operating table he fought them all and would not have his arm amputated. He shouted that he would not go home with his aj’m off, so they threw him into a cell." Both the "Daily Sketch” and the “Mirror” feature the award. The “Daily Sketch” has a front page story under a photograph of Captain Upham and the headlines: “At the bottom of the O.C.T.U. class, but he’s now a double V.C." It also shows Lady Freyberg shaking hands with Mrs Upham, and on the inside page carries a full page under the streamer heading: "Double V.C. fought on till he could not move, 1 ’ and “won first as a live skeleton.” The "Daily Mirror” has a front page head and shoulders photograph of Mrs Übham under the heading: “She’s the wife of a double V.C.,” and devoted nearly half of its back page to the stor?. Mrs Unham is quoted as saying: “Poor Charlie. He’s so shy, he’ll probably take to the bush for a few daws.” The “Manchester Guardian” devotes two-thirds of a column on the main newspage and also a sub-leader which refers to Captain Upham's characteristic modestness when hearing of the “rare news.” and declares: "There is no mistaking either their merit or distinction.” The article emphasises the uniov°ness n f the event and notes that it is the first bar awarded to an “entirely competent soldier." The article continues: “Ever since its origin in. 1856. the V.C. with its insistence that ‘neither rank nor long service nor wounds nor anv other circumstance or conditions whatsoever,, save the merit of conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy’ shall qualify for the honour has had a renowned and special nlace in our history. The name of Captain Upham takes a great place in the annals of this famous decoration.”

Dominion’s Congratulations (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. “On behalf of the Government I congratulate you most warmly on the signal honour bestowed upon -vou bv the King,” said the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in a message to Captain C. H. Upham, V.C. and Bar. “All" the people of New Zealand rejoice at the honour which has been added to your name. The recognition of your superb heroism has brought honour not only to yourself but also to your gallant comrades, to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and New Zealand itself. The knowledge that in this war of all the British Empire forces you receive its rarest award has given the greatest joy to everyone. In congratulating you I feel I am expressing the warmest feelings of pride'which is in the hearts of all your fellow countrymen.”