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Captain LIONEL ERNEST QUERIPEL

Service Number: 108181
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Sussex Regiment

Date of Death

Died 19 September 1944

Age 24 years old

Buried or commemorated at

ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

5. D. 8.

Netherlands

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Secondary Unit, Regiment attd. 10th Bn. The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of Leslie Herbert and Sybil Queripel, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
  • Personal Inscription DEARLY LOVED SON OF COLONEL AND MRS L.H. QUERIPEL
  • Additional Citation note

    The following details are given in the London Gazette of 1st January, 1945 : In Holland on September 19th, 1944, Captain Queripel was acting as Company Commander. When advancing on Arnhem, heavy and continuous enemy fire caused his company to split up on both sides of the road, and inflicted considerable losses. Repeatedly crossing and re-crossing the road under sustained and accurate fire, Captain Queripel not only immediately re-organized his force, but carried a wounded serjeant to the Regimental Aid Post, and was himself wounded in the face. Nevertheless he personally lead an attack on the strong point blocking their progress, and killed the occupants, thereby enabling the advance to continue. Later, Captain Queripel found himself cut off with a small party. Although by then additionally wounded in both arms, he continued to inspire his men to resist until increasing enemy pressure forced him to order their withdrawal. He insisted on remaining behind to cover their retreat with pistol fire and hand grenades, and was not seen again. During nine hours of confused and bitter fighting Captain Queripel unceasingly displayed gallantry of the highest order. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were magnificent and inspiring.

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