- Joined
- Oct 11, 2010
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- Age
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Lionel Ernest Queripel, formerly of the Royal Sussex Regiment, was Second-in-Command of the 10th Battalion's A Company. The aircraft in which the Company commander, Major Anson, had been travelling was shot down south of the Rhine, and so Queripel took charge in his absence.-
On Tuesday 19th, the 10th Battalion's progress along the Amsterdamseweg was halted by a strong German blocking line on the crossroads with the Driejenseweg, and there followed an exchange of gun and mortar fire with persisted for several hours. A Company were positioned to the north of the road at this time and were scarcely challenged, but after a time they received an order from Brigade HQ to mount a wide flanking attack. The following is an extract from Queripel's citation for a Victoria Cross:
"On 19 September 1944 at Arnhem, Captain Queripel displayed the highest standard of gallantry during the whole of a period of nine hours of bitter and confused fighting. Under heavy fire he carried a wounded sergeant to the regimental aid post and was himself wounded in the face.
Later, when it became necessary to withdraw despite the protests of his men, and receiving further wounds in both arms he insisted on remaining behind to cover their withdrawal, armed only with his pistol and a few hand grenades. This was the last occasion on which he was seen”.
