Captain Lionel Queripel VC to be commemorated in ceremony

Captain Lionel Queripel VC, from Winterborne Monkton near Dorchester, will be commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in a ceremony this weekend marking the anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

Captain Queripel, who died during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944 aged 24, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden, an Allied effort to capture key bridges in the Netherlands to cross the River Rhine.

Operation Market Garden began on September 17 and lasted until September 25, 1944, and it was all in an effort to help Allied forces advance into Northern Germany.

Born in 1920, Captain Queripel came from a distinguished military family that lived in Winterborne Monkton. His father, grand-father and great-grandfather were also soldiers.

His military career saw him evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940, followed by service in North Africa and Italy, before he took part in the Battle of Arnhem.

Captain Lionel Queripel VC (Image: Supplied) Despite suffering severe facial wounds in the battle, Captain Queripel continued to lead his men, and was seen carrying a wounded soldier to safety before leading another assault.

Later that day, wounded in both arms, he ordered his men to retreat while he single-handedly held the position. He was never seen alive again.

In recognition of his extraordinary courage, leadership, and devotion to duty, Captain Queripel was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in January 1945.

He was laid to rest in August 1945 at the CWGC’s Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery in Plot 5, Row D, Grave 8 in the Netherlands.

His headstone bears the Victoria Cross and an inscription chosen by his father which reads: "Dearly loved son of colonel and Mrs L.H. Queripel."

His sacrifice will be honoured as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations by the CWGC of the battle, which saw almost 1,500 Allied soldiers lose their lives.

This weekend's ceremony will be held at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery in the Netherlands.

The poignant Torch of Commemoration roadshow will reach Arnhem today, Friday, September 20.

The CWGC Torch in Arnhem (Image: Commonwealth War Graves Commision) The torch will be handed to British veteran Geoff Roberts and Caroline Frost, daughter of Lt Col John Frost, who commanded the Allies during the battle.

Claire Horton CBE, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “The Torch of Commemoration has proved to be a hugely successful way to educate younger people about what the Allies went through during their ordeal, and to ensure their legacy will never be forgotten.

“The CWGC’s Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery has been a focal point of commemoration for the Battle of Arnhem since the end of the Second World War, with the sacrifice of nearly 1,500 wounded and killed soldiers at the heart of our mission to protect their legacy and educate future generations.

“Today, we call on our communities to join us in our duty to ensuring the commemoration of the war dead continues, and share their memories and stories.

Geoff Roberts (right) will handle the torch in Arnhem (Image: Commonwealth War Graves Commision)"Many of the stories of what the soldiers went through during the Battle of Arnhem are truly inspiring, and we hope they encourage younger people to honour them for evermore.”

Captain Queripel's name was recently added to Dorchester’s War Memorial following a request from the town council.

For more information on the programme and route visit vrijheidspad.org