During 15 months of operations, Wanklyn led "Upholder" on 27 patrols and sank 11 Axis merchant and troopships while damaging four more. During his combat career he fought many actions with "Regia Marina" (Italian Navy) warships. He sank one destroyer and one minesweeper, and damaged a light cruiser. In a rare achievement, he also sank three Italian submarines. It amounted to 128,353 tons of enemy shipping. For the sinking of the heavily defended enemy transport SS "Conte Rosso" without working Asdic, he received the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be bestowed upon personnel in the British and Commonwealth forces.