THE name of a Dorset Victoria Cross holder from the Battle of Arnhem in 1944 is to be added to Dorchester’s War Memorial.

Captain Lionel Queripel VC was killed in action, aged 24, and awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

He was born in the manor house at Winterborne Monkton and spent his first six years in the Dorchester area.

His father, grand-father and great-grandfather were also soldiers. His father, Colonel L H Queripel was appointed CMG and awarded the DSO having served during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and later in Mesopotamia, France and Russia during the First World War.

Lionel Queripel was educated at Marlborough College, entering the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in January 1939 and was commissioned to the Royal Sussex Regiment shortly after the Second World War started, later becoming a member of the Parachute Regiment.

At Arnhem, despite injuries, he carried a wounded soldier to a first aid post and later ordered his men to withdraw in the face of heavy gun and shellfire, staying behind with a pistol and a few hand grenades to cover their retreat.

His citation, in 1945, read, in part: “During the whole of a period of nine hours of confused and bitter fighting Captain Queripel displayed the highest standard of gallantry under most difficult and trying circumstances. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were magnificent, and an inspiration to all. This officer is officially reported to be wounded and missing.”

Dorchester Town Council agreed to a request for the name to be added to the memorial with an additional plaque.