Join us in preserving
military history.
About Us
The Upham Network is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge gaps among stakeholders in the field of military history preservation.
Conceived by the Captain Charles Upham VC and Bar Centre Trust, the network aims to streamline collaboration, optimise resources, and enrich historical narratives. By integrating diverse perspectives, the Upham Network addresses challenges in collection management while fostering a shared sense of purpose among its supporters.
Explore Medals
Hover over each medal to see its details
The Victoria Cross and Bar
The Medal: The premier award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, made of dark bronze with a crimson ribbon.
The Bar: Notice the small horizontal bronze bar attached midway up the ribbon. This signifies that Captain Charles Upham was awarded the Victoria Cross twice—the only combat soldier in history to achieve this honor. His first was earned in Crete (1941) and the second at Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt (1942).
1939–1945 Star
The Medal: A six-pointed copper-zinc alloy star.
The Ribbon: Equal vertical stripes of dark blue, light blue, and red representing the Royal Navy, RAF, and Army. It denotes operational service during World War II.
Africa Star
The Medal: A matching six-pointed campaign star.
The Ribbon: Pale buff (representing the desert sands) with a central red stripe and side stripes of dark blue and light blue, marking his fierce combat actions in the North African Western Desert campaign.
Help Us Preserve New Zealand’s Military Heritage
Your generosity directly funds the Upham Network’s mission to safeguard our military history, streamline artifact collection management, and connect generations through shared memory. Every donation helps us keep these vital narratives alive.
GRAPEVINE Winter 2026
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GRAPEVINE Autumn 2026
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GRAPEVINE Summer 2025
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GRAPEVINE Spring 2025
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Witness the History
Explore the military history of New Zealand through our curated digital media collection. From battlefield accounts to the ongoing preservation efforts of the Trust, these videos bring the rich archives of military history to life. Press play to discover a photo over 100 years old come to life.
Polaschek Medal Collection: “Rechabites”
Who were the Rechabites? Upon receiving the Polaschek Medal, we discovered several Rechabite Medals among them. Diana Humm, one of our volunteers, conducted research and identified a Canterbury citizen soldier who was a member of the Rechabites. Polaschek Collection: Rechabite Medalsby Jim Frew The Independent Order of Rechabites (IOR), also known as...
Editorial Winter 2026
Movement in the Camp Sharp-eyed readers will notice that this edition has the same title as its immediate predecessor. But, dear readers, we assure you that this edition is the real Winter 2026 edition and can only apologise for the mis-titled Autumn 2026 edition. You should find plenty of interest...
From the Front Line
An update from the Commanding Officer of 2/4 RNZIR, Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Seeds.I appreciate the opportunity to provide an update on what has already been a busy and productive year for the Battalion. Following the Christmas stand-down, the Unit welcomed 31 newly qualified infantry soldiers fresh from Corps training. Special...
History Lesson from the Past: New Zealand’s War Time Economy.
Due to the impact of the Iran War and shifts in global policy, there is a recommendation for New Zealand to transition to a wartime economy. While the current political and cultural climate differs significantly from that of New Zealand during World War II, valuable lessons can still be drawn...
The Charles Upham Tapes: A National Treasure of Memory, Courage, and Truth
Recorded in Christchurch in the early 1990s, the Charles Upham Tapes preserve the voice of Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, VC and Bar — the only combat soldier ever awarded the Victoria Cross twice. Across approximately eight hours of interviews, they offer an extraordinary window into the lived experience of New Zealanders in the...
Citizen Soldier – John A Lee, DCM. MP, JP.
A juvenile delinquent, itinerant worker, convicted criminal, decorated soldier, Member of Parliament, prolific author and avowed communist, John A. Lee began his colourful career in Otago before spreading his influence throughout New Zealand. Early Days A few years after John Alexander Lee was born on 31 October 1891 in Dunedin,...
Citizen Soldier: Lieutenant Colonel M.C. Stanaway, MC
In 1964, the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment was formed. In the South Island, two new Territorial Force battalions emerged – the 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) and the 4th Battalion (Otago and Southland). The respective Commanding Officers (Murray Stanaway and Robert Barton) had both served with their...
Digitising our Collection
New Zealand Army History and Heritage of South Island Units The digitisation of collections is one of the key strategies of the Captain Charles Upham VC & Bar Centre Trust, and it is the project currently receiving our main attention. Teams are now digitising collections from the 2/4 Regimental History...