Matt Heath: a singular soldier 24 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM 4 minutes to read Charles Upham eating in his dugout during the North Africa campaign. Photo/Harold Paton Radio host on Radio Hauraki and Herald columnist@MattHeathNZ On a soft deck chair at the beach, I read the brutal, bloody and brilliant tale of the bravest Kiwi ever to live. The book is Searching for Charlie: In Pursuit of the Real Charles Upham VC and Bar by Tom Scott. What a story, what a man, what a contrast with my cushy life. Upham was everything I'm not. A grenade throwing, Victoria Cross-winning legend who stood up to every bully he came across including the Nazis. It's an exciting read. "Although shot through the elbow, he personally destroyed a tank, four machine gunners and a number of trucks." Action-packed!