T. E. Lawrence

With Allenby in Palestine and Lawrence in Arabia - Thomas Edward Lawrence - Hero of the Arab Revolt.

Thomas Edward Lawrence was born in Wales in 1888 and he died in a motorbike accident in 1935. He is best known for his exploits during the First World War when he was sent on a mission into the Arabian deserts to rally tribesmen against their Turkish overlords who were fighting alongside the Germans. His successful guerrilla raids captured the popular imagination and set new tactical standards.

Lawrence became involved with the Arab Revolt as a liaison to the Arab forces, along with other British officers, supporting the Arab Kingdom of Hejaz's independence. He worked closely with Emir Faisal, a leader of the revolt, and he participated, sometimes as leader, in military actions against the Ottoman armed forces, culminating in the capture of Damascus in October 1918.

Lawrence had owned many motorcycles including very expensive custom Brough Superior motorcycles at different times. On 13 May 1935, Lawrence was fatally injured in an accident on his Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle in Dorset close to his cottage Clouds Hill, near Wareham. A dip in the road obstructed his view of two boys on their bicycles which caused him to swerve in order not collide with them. This maneuver caused him to lose control and crash his motorcycle resulting in a traumatic brain injury and his lapse into coma. He died six days later on May 29 1935 at age 46.