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Story: New Zealand identity

Charles Upham

Charles Upham was the only soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice for courage under fire in the Second World War. Upham had previously worked as a musterer in the Canterbury high country and many people ascribed his strength and endurance during the war to that background. A statue commemorating Upham was erected in the north Canterbury town of Amberley. This video explains his wartime achievement and shows the statue in detail.

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How to cite this page

Fiona Barker, New Zealand identity – War and sport, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/34609/charles-upham (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Fiona Barker, published 17 April 2012.