Lawrence of Arabia: Death of a Freedom Fighter

This edited article on Lawrence of Arabia originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 904 published on 19 May 1979.

Lawrence, born in Wales in 1888, completed a brilliant educational career at Oxford University. Soon afterwards he made his first acquaintance with the Middle East when he took part in archaeological excavations in Mesopotamia.

 Early in 1914 he joined another expedition, this time in northern Sinai. Though ostensibly archaeological, its real purpose was to gather information about Turkish defences along Egypt’s border. For at this time most of the Middle East was under Turkish rule, only Egypt being under British influence.

Within months war broke out, and young Lawrence was appointed to Military Intelligence in Cairo. The region was of vital importance in view of Turkey’s entry into the war on Germany’s side.

In late 1916 Lawrence was a member of a secret mission to the Amir of Mecca, who was planning a revolt against his Turkish masters. Among those whom Lawrence met was the Amir’s warrior son Faisal. Within weeks he rejoined Faisal as adviser and liaison officer, and began a partnership which was to bring the young Englishman undying fame.

Guided by Lawrence, who wore Arab costume and shared the Arabs’ spartan life, Faisal and his men waged constant guerrilla warfare on the Turks. Though fighting no pitched battles, the Arabs pinned down some 30,000 Turkish troops who might have been used elsewhere.

These operations cased the task of the British General Allenby, who later advanced north into Palestine and occupied Jerusalem. This success was followed by the crowning achievement of Faisal’s Arabs – the occupation of Damascus, in Syria.

A brilliant career seemed in prospect for Lawrence when peace returned. But, disgusted at what he saw as Britain’s failure to keep her promises to the Arabs in the post-war settlement, he resigned the post he had been given in the Colonial Office.

To escape public attention. Lawrence joined the RAF as John Hume Ross in 1922, but publicity led to his discharge. He later re-enlisted using the name T. E. Shaw. He refused all promotion and remained a humble aircraftman.

In 1926 his book. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, giving an account of his campaigns, was published.

Lawrence had developed a keen interest in motor cycles – especially the powerful Brough Superior machines, like the model on which he is pictured above. It was on one of these that, on 19th May, 1935, Aircraftman Shaw had the accident which brought a sad end to the life of a national hero.

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