"Upham was commanding a Company of New Zealand
troops in the Western Desert during the operations which culminated in
the attack on El Ruweisat Ridge on the night of 14th–15th July, 1942. In spite of being twice wounded, once when crossing open ground
swept by enemy fire to inspect his forward sections guarding our
mine-fields and again when he completely destroyed an entire truck load
of German soldiers with hand grenades, Captain Upham insisted on
remaining with his men to take
part in the final assault. During the opening stages of the attack on the ridge Captain
Upham's Company formed part of the reserve battalion, but, when
communications with the forward troops broke down and he was instructed
to send up an officer to report on the progress of the attack, he went
out himself armed with a Spandau gun and, after several sharp encounters with enemy machine gun posts, succeeded in bringing back the required information. Just before dawn the reserve battalion was ordered forward, but,
when it had almost reached its objective, very heavy fire was
encountered from a strongly defended enemy locality, consisting of four
machine gun posts and a number of tanks. Captain Upham, without hesitation, at once led his Company in a
determined attack on the two nearest strongpoints on the left flank of
the sector. His voice could be heard above the din of battle cheering on
his men and, in spite of the fierce resistance of the enemy and the
heavy casualties on both sides, the objective was captured. Captain Upham, during the engagement, himself destroyed a German
tank and several guns and vehicles with grenades and although he was
shot through the elbow by a machine gun bullet and had his arm broken,
he went on again to a forward position and brought back some of his men
who had become isolated. He continued to dominate the situation until
his men had beaten off a violent enemy counter-attack and consolidated
the vital position which they had won under his inspiring leadership. Exhausted by pain from his wound and weak from loss of blood Captain Upham was then removed to the Regimental Aid Post
but immediately his wound had been dressed he returned to his men,
remaining with them all day long under heavy enemy artillery and mortar
fire, until he was again severely wounded and being now unable to move
fell into the hands of the enemy when, his gallant Company having been
reduced to only six survivors, his position was finally overrun by
superior enemy forces, in spite of the outstanding gallantry and
magnificent leadership shown by Captain Upham.
From Capt. Upham's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on October 14, 1941.
From Capt. Upham's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on October 14, 1941.
A capable ally,
Brian
Statue of Upham in Amberley, North Canterbury
A JetconnectBoeing 737-800 named after him.
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