Decoration of Lieutenant Charles Upham, Victoria Cross

New Zealand Broadcasting Service mobile unit commentator Arch Curry introduces a recording made at the presentation of the field decoration of the Victoria Cross ribbon to Lieutenant Charles Upham. The presentation was made at a ceremonial parade hundreds of miles from the New Zealand base in the Western Desert [Egypt].

Following the general salute, General Auchinleck, accompanied by General Freyberg, inspects the parade. Then Lieutenant Charles Upham, Lieutenant Colonel Kippenberger, and Major Raymond James Lynch are called from the parade to receive their awards for their action in Crete and Greece.

The citation for Lieutenant Charles Upham is read by an unidentified man. It concludes with these words " He showed superb coolness, great skill and dash, and complete disregard of danger. His conduct and leadership inspired the whole platoon to fight magnificently throughout and, in fact, was an inspiration to the battalion."

Lieutenant Upham steps forward and General Auchinleck pins the Victoria Cross ribbon to Upham's tunic. Lieutenant Colonel Kippenberger receives an immediate Distinguished Service Order, and Major Lynch receives the Military Cross. The parade performs a ceremonial march past, and commentator Arch Curry closes the recording with "A hero has been acknowledged".