Captain Lionel Queripel VC was born in the manor house at Winterborne Monkton, near Dorchester on 13 July 1920. He joined The Royal Sussex Regiment and fought at Alam Halfa, El Alamein and Italy. He volunteered to join a new parachute battalion and was killed at the battle of Arnhem on 19 September 1944, while attached to the 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, in an action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. There is no memorial to him in Monkton Church where he was baptised, and it is intended to place a plaque in his memory in the Nave at an unveiling on 19 September 2022. This is a personal initiative by two local people who ask if you would be prepared to make a contribution towards the £2,500 cost of erecting the plaque and unveiling service. The Purbeck Branch of the Devon and Dorset Regimental Association have kindly agreed to use their account to receive donations.
Cheques should be made payable to: The Purbeck Branch D&D Association and marked ”Queripel VC Project” on the back.
Please send to: Peter N Metcalfe, 48 Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 IEW
