On 19 September 1944, Acting Major Lionel Queripel gave his life in a selfless act of bravery, whilst covering his men’s withdrawal back into the Oosterbeek perimeter during the battle of Arnhem. He had already been wounded twice whilst assaulting an anti-tank gun, but realising he had the enemy on three sides, ordered his men to withdraw whilst he covered them. He was last seen by his Sergeant throwing grenades at the enemy, for this act he was awarded a posthumous VC.
In late 2021, two men from the West Country, Peter Metcalfe and Nick Speakman, decided to start a project to have a plaque installed in the village church of Winterborne Monkton where Lionel was born, as there was no recognition of him in his birthplace. On the 19 September 2022, this project was brought to fruition in a moving service in the church of St Simon and St Jude. The Association Chairman and a representative from the Parachute Regimental Association led the standards down the aisle with a replica set of his medals, with the Chairman carrying his sword which had been brought to the service from the Regimental Collection for the occasion. These were placed on the altar, flanked by the standards. The plaque itself, was unveiled by Mr Charles Norman, a family relation. Ten members from the Chichester, Brighton, and Eastbourne Branches along with four Branch Standards made the journey to Dorsetshire and thanks go to them for their dedication, and also to Peter and Nick without whom none of this would have been possible.
