Captain Charles Upham's Portrait accepted into Army Museum

NZ WW2 Hero, Captain Charles Upham's Portrait accepted into Waiouru Army Museum

Captain Charles Upham won the Victoria Cross & Bar for NZ in WW2. He is "famous for his bravery on the battlefields of Greece and Egpyt..he received the Victoria Cross: this medal is the highest award for bravery and is rarely awarded.Only three people in the world have ever received it twice. One of these three people is Upham" (Keith Tonkin 2002, New Zealanders of Action in WW2).

Ruth Bioletti Auckland artist was asked to put on an exhibition for the WW1 Centenary in 2013 and she decided to pay homage to all soldiers from WW1 till today and included Upham. She says that painting Upham's portrait has been a privilege and a moving experience. She rang the Army Museum in Waiouru to ask for photos, paintings and drawings to help with her painting but was told by the museum that they didn't have any. Astonished that a soldier of Uphams calibre was so neglected she offered her painting for display during the Centenary year. A couple of emails later the portrait had been accepted into the museum.

Originally the painting was to be diplayed by Upham's medals which were stolen in 2007 and later returned to the museum but Ruth emailed the dimensions of the portrait which were to big for the display. The museum is now thinking through another spot for the portrait. Ruth has decided not to sell the painting into a private collection as she feels that it would be far better for more people to see Upham and appreciate what a great hero that New Zealand has.

Captain Uphams portrait will be on display at Thievery Studio one day only, 203 Krd. Monday 28th July, the day that Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia for the assassination of Arch-Duke Franz-Ferdinand. 5pmonwards, 7pm launch with soldiers at entrance. The password is Captain Charles Upham to enter. Everyone welcome.

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