David Wanklyn Military person
Lieutenant Commander Malcolm David Wanklyn VC, DSO & Two Bars (28 June 1911 – missing in action 14 April 1942) was a British Royal Navy Submarine ace and one of the most successful submariners in the Western Allied navies during the Second World War, accounting for some 93,031 tons of enemy shipping sunk.Born in 1911 to an affluent family, Wanklyn was influenced into a military career at a young age. His father was a successful businessman and engineer who served in the British Army in the First World War and his uncle was a Destroyer commander who had a successful war fighting German U-Boats in the First Battle of the Atlantic. He developed a seafaring interest at the age of five and applied to join the Royal Navy aged 14. Despite some physical ailments, he was able to pass the selection boards. He progressed an commissioned officer fairly quickly and by 1931 had been promoted to sub-lieutenant and lieutenant two years later in 1933. After serving on a variety of surface ships, he joined the submarine service.After the outbreak of the Second World War, he was given command of HMS Upholder. Commanding submarines in the North Sea and then during the Battle of the Mediterranean, he sank 8 Italian merchant and Troopships while damaging two more. He also sank three German merchant ships and damaged one while succeeding in damaging one Vichy French vessel. During his combat career he fought many actions with Regia Marina (Italian Navy) Warships. He sank one destroyer, one minesweeper and damaged a light cruiser. In a rare achievement, he also sank two Italian submarines.For his service, 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.On 14 April 1942, while on his 28th patrol, Wanklyn and his crew disappeared. He was posted missing in action. His exact fate remains unknown.
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Military person
| award | |
|---|---|
| military operations | |
| military command | HMS H32 HMS Upholder |
| service start | 1925 |
| service end | 1942 |