Remembrance Day for Warriors Past
Captain Lionel E. Queripel VC, Royal Sussex Regiment. 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment. Killed in action 19th Sept 1944, aged 24. Son of Leslie Herbert and Sybil Queripel, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.
VC Citation:
"In Holland on the 19th September, 1944, Captain Queripel was acting as Company Commander of a composite Company composed of three Parachute Battalions. At 14.00 hours on that day, his Company was advancing along a main road which ran on an embankment towards Arnhem. The advance was conducted under continuous medium machine-gun fire which, at one period, became so heavy that the Company became split up on either side of the road and suffered considerable losses. Captain Queripel at once proceeded to reorganize his force, crossing and recrossing the road whilst doing so, under extremely heavy and accurate fire. During this period he carried a wounded Sergeant to the Regimental Aid Post under fire and was himself wounded in the face. Having reorganized his force, Captain Queripel personally led a party of men against the strong point holding up the advance. This strong point consisted of a captured British anti-tank gun and two machine-guns. Despite the extremely heavy fire directed at him, Captain Queripel succeeded in killing the crews of the machineguns and recapturing the anti-tank gun. As a result of this, the advance was able to continue. Later in the same day, Captain Queripel found himself cut off with a small party of men and took up a position in a ditch. By this time he had received further wounds in both arms. Regardless of his wounds and of the very heavy mortar and spandau fire, he continued to inspire his men to resist with hand grenades, pistols and the few remaining rifles. As, however, the enemy pressure increased, Captain Queripel decided that it was impossible to hold the position any longer and ordered his men to withdraw. Despite their protests, he insisted on remaining behind to cover their withdrawal with his automatic pistol and a few remaining hand grenades. This is the last occasion on which he was seen. 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."
Battle of Arnhem, 17–26 September 1944
In flux of pain unceasing in the goal
Forward on a path of raging fire
Defending and advancing with a warrior soul
Silver’d wings in flight that never tire.
Their voices drown’d in sounds of screaming shells
Sinews stretched in fight, the last battle met
Silent now, their sacrifice recalled by bells
The quiet village church repays the debt.
Hedgerows and banks whisper the mortal fame
Thorns the memory of blasted flesh and blood
The sky to unrelenting thoughts now dream;
Tears of the darkest fury, cloud and flood.
All Rights Reserved 2018 & Copyright David John Drew ‘Lord Carville’
