Charles Upham - Aftermath

Aftermath

When Colditz Castle was liberated by American forces, most of the inmates made their own way home immediately. Upham joined an American Unit, was armed and equipped, and wanted to fight the Germans. Upham was keen to see action again, but was instead sent to Britain where he was reunited with Molly McTamney, who was then serving as a nurse. They were married at New Milton, Hampshire, on 20 June 1945. He returned to NZ in early September, and Molly followed him in December.

King George VI had invested Upham with his first Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 11 May 1945. When the recommendation was made for a second VC, the King remarked to Major-General Howard Kippenberger that a bar to the cross would be "very unusual indeed" and enquired firmly, "Does he deserve it?" Kippenberger replied, "In my respectful opinion, sir, Upham won the VC several times over."

Upham was also Mentioned in Despatches on 14 November 1946.