awarded the Victoria Cross. The failure of Upholder's Asdic set had robbed Wanklyn not only of a means of detecting the enemy but also of a valuable aid in taking avoiding action during a counter-attack. Despite this handicap, Upholder continued to destroy enemy shipping, and it was the sinking, on 25th May, 1941, of the heavily-escorted troopship Conte Rosse with over 1200 members of the Afrika Corps on board, that earned Wanklyn his VC. Following this daring success, enemy. destroyers counter-attacked and, during the next 20 minutes, dropped 37 depth charges near Upholder. The citation for Wanklyn's VC stated - 'The failure of his listening device made it much harder for him to get away, but with the greatest courage, coolness and skill he brought Upholder clear of the enemy and safe back to harbour'.
