24 Jul T E Lawrence

T E Lawrence is best known for his exploits in Arabia during the First World War, which he vividly describes in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926). In the opinion of Winston Churchill: “It ranks with the greatest books ever written in the English language. As a narrative of war and adventure it is unsurpassable.” The book was the basis for David Lean’s memorable film Lawrence of Arabia (1962) with Peter O’Toole (winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture).

After the War – following a spell at the Foreign Office – Lawrence served in the RAF and then in the Army. In 1923 he rented the tiny cottage Clouds Hill, near Bovington Camp in Dorset, then bought it in 1925: a truly unique site to include in a tour of England. Lawrence would spend his “spare evenings” at Clouds Hill and meet there with friends, among them Thomas Hardy. In 1935, after leaving military service, Lawrence took up permanent residence at Clouds Hill. Only a few weeks later he suffered fatal injuries in an accident while riding his beloved Brough Superior motorcycle on a local road. He was 46 years old. Lawrence is buried in the graveyard of St Nicholas’ Church in the nearby village of Moreton.