T E Lawrence - His Final Years in Dorset

[@barbarahowson8078]

Everything about Lawrence's life is so interesting. What character, what intellect. I am reading "the 7 pillars of wisdom" and his reasoning and experiences in Arabia. Thank you so much for this video.

[@janwhite6038]

The book was heavily edited and said to be changed after his death

[@barbarahowson8078]

@@janwhite6038 What a shame it was changed and heavily edited. I wonder why and who changed and edited it? I would be grateful if you know more.

[@richardsinger01]

​@@barbarahowson8078 the publishers edited it - presumably to make it more readable. This is normal practice. The original manuscripts are in the Bodlean Oxford.

[@ericashmusic8889]

I read so so much about Mr T.E.Lawrence, I read The 7 Pillars twice, ( & again soon) all told I reckoned that Teddy was on to Hitler. A crash on a solo motorbike by a speed merchant maybe ! But a fatal crash on a Combo never !,

[@janwhite6038]

Is it TEL story twisted to suit the narrative of the time? ​@@ericashmusic8889

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

Have read many books about Lawrence , always found him a fascinating character. I might say a true hero in my view. I did travel to Jordan to look around some of the sites that Lawrence mentions in his book. Really found this great and I am so glad I did it. Thankyou for your documentary on this great man.

[@peterbardy1296]

I understand that Laurence wrote a thesis on the Templars castles.

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

@@peterbardy1296 No he wrote a thesis of crusader castles in the near east. The book is called "Crusader Castles". I have a copy the publisher is someone called " Michael Haag". A lot of hand drawn pics by Lawrence as well as photo's he took.

[@seangalbraith5286]

What book would you suggest I read.

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

@@seangalbraith5286 The mosy acclaimed is by Jeremy Wilson. If you go to the library you may find it there. Lawrences book " seven pillars of wisdom", is a great read, although difficult . There are so many books on his life you should have no trouble finding something interesting.

[@suemcgregor9248]

​@@seangalbraith5286start with The Seven Pillars of Wisdon

[@timshaw8187]

I’ve followed the man’s journey from Syria to Jordan and Aqaba on a motorcycle and across the Negev desert, fascinated by the man and the time, finishing my journey at Clouds hill a great episode in my life, thanks for you’re work

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

That sounds like a wonderful adventure 👍

[@ericashmusic8889]

That is real admiration..

[@laurastuart3814]

The Negev desert in Palestine?

[@marycahill546]

You have made a valiant effort to track down the details of Lawrence's life in Dorset. Thanks very much for this. I read the Seven Pillars of Wisdom many years ago -- it's a long read, but well worth the effort.

[@doloresaquines]

Yes Mary. Well worth reading Fascinating. And extremely well written too. Lovely prose.

[@ronnenni7246]

The thr.we pillors of wisdom is my favorite book . And Peter otole was te lawrence

[@ronnenni7246]

Or was as pretty anyway!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marypladsen5231]

@@ronnenni7246 I saw the older O'Toole on a talk show, Letterman perhaps (youtube of course), talking about making the movie, difficulty, camels, etc. and then a camel was brought on stage and O'Toole was so glad to see it. Great moment. Letterman's collection of O'Toole and Riches Harris's appearances is great also.

[@Fuzzamajumula]

Thank you so much, Mr. Hale, for preserving this history for generations to come.

[@Greenacre-AV]

You are welcome - I enjoyed making it!

[@christinepaige2575]

Thank you so much for this wonderful, fascinating video. So very much appreciated 🙏

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lukemallory7832]

What a superb documentary. It's 02:30 in the morning and I have to be up again soon but I found myself unable to stop watching, pausing constantly to look up certain things you were talking about, locations, the Brough bikes etc. Thank you very much for making it!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pulsereading]

What a pleasure to watch. Wonderfully relaxed pace, camera work and production with fascinating learned people taking part. Thank you!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@augustsky6248]

Thank you for a great documentary. I lived in Poole and visited the Bovington Tank Museum, Lawrence Cottage at Clouds Hill, and his grave at Moreton.

[@donchoq]

Wonderful video. You really catch the fact that great events and occurances involve ordinary people and places!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you!

[@RUOKH]

From the interview with Mrs. Lane it is quite obvious that she understands the rather special and close relationship between Patrick and Terrence. A relationship that dare not speak its name, but is understood by many students of T.E.L.

[@caravaggiosaccomplice7841]

Many thanks from a humble Lawrence aficionado in Australia. I'll think of the folks who appeared in this excellent documentary when I visit Clouds Hill this summer 2024. What an inspiring and enigmatic fellow Lawrence truly was.

[@janwhite6038]

My father, a recruut at Bovington, said TELs homosexuality was an embarrasment to the army.

[@tw424]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sUASNews]

Very interesting, thanks very much for posting. A great natural presenter.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

Absolutely fantastic documentary, one of the best there has been. I today spent an hour in Canewdons Church, built by Henry V, watching your clip of Lawrence's funeral with all those people & then just you, all the places we visit if the walls could talk, Lawrence the man Winston Spencer Churchill himself a man of adventure in his youth, described Lawrence so well.

[@Greenacre-AV]

We appreciate your comments about our documentary - so pleased you liked it.

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

@Greenacre-AV Yes would be interesting to hear the conversations TE Shaw had with the Barbor, the Barbor never realised till long after fascinating

[@SeanTurnell-b2n]

Wonderful video. Wareham is truly a beautiful place ❤️

[@Greenacre-AV]

Wareham, and Dorset generally, is indeed a lovely place!

[@conningdale8805]

Excellent, well put together video. Very good viewing. Thank you fir posting.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it.

[@bewareofpigeons]

I visited Clouds Hill many years ago... always been intrigued by this charismatic figure. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a great book.

[@tonyclough9844]

To read seven pillers I needed a dictionary to understand his words.

[@Golo1949]

I have never read the book but we did visit Clouds Hill, surprised how small it is.

[@sirmalus5153]

@@Golo1949 It is a small little house isn't it. I went there with my brother many years ago (1983 or 84?) after seeing the nearby 'tank day' at bovington tank museum. The wall or 'hedge' had a little opening in it back then and the outside ground was very springy as i recall. The lady working there gave a little explanation about things. The large leather couch or 'bed' was in the middle of the room downstairs and she said the room upstairs was lined with aircraft alloy sheet, which kept things cool in summertime, which it did quit well. So not the "tin foil" as suggested in the video.

[@rogerfox7380]

I’ve been a great fan of T E since I read his book seven towers of wisdom when I was 16 years old even went so far as visiting Cairo , he was a great man his name will live in history in the annals of war . R.I.P

[@westerncherokeewireless642]

This is a fascinating documentary. I especially like the colorful characters in Dorset. Thanks for uploading.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@runeljungstrommer331]

Very interresting, thanks a lot!

[@dixonpinfold2582]

Mr. Knowles' niece laid great stress on the closeness of her uncle to Lawrence. Great stress indeed. I daresay she yet understated it somewhat. That was my firm impression anyway.

[@redskyatnight123]

This was wonderful viewing thank you

[@RickDeckard6531]

This was a fascinating little gem of a documentary. I saw the great film with my dad when it first came out and it left a lasting impression. I look forward to visiting the cottage some time, and the tank museum.

[@joepalooka2145]

Fascinating video, extremely well done. I've been interested in T. E. Lawrence since I was a teenager back in the '60s, when the movie came out. I've read many biographies and "Seven Pillars Of Wisdom" and also "The Mint" (uncensored edition) which is one of the most interesting books in the Lawrence legacy. I do not believe in the "black car" conspiracy theories. The interview with the gentleman about his brother's testimony and his statement that these conspiracy theories are "a load of rubbish" settles it for me.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you. We tried to present both theories as to the accident.

[@davidjones332]

It's a bit like the Princess Diana conspiracy theories. Running somebody off the road is a very unreliable method of killing them and there's a fair chance they will survive, as Diana would have if she had been wearing a seatbelt. If Lawrence had missed that tree and landed in the shrubbery he might have got away with relatively minor injuries, but that wouldn't sell any books or newspapers.

[@juttamaier2111]

Thank you for this interesting video

[@petermatten3315]

Recently visited the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, saw the robes, and footwear Lawrence wore in the desert. Very fine wear.

[@lafayettemoreira4423]

One of the great poets (writer) in modern english. Our best regards and respect. You are missed, Mr Lawrence.

[@colinmew7139]

When I pass this world and if their is another where we all meet up I want to find Lawrence and just talk to him about his life there is so much we just don’t know about him.

[@raolhooley]

If your a good boy col he could give you a jolly good thrashing or vice versa...

[@pauljones1350]

Poor Lawrence swerved to keep those children safe a hero to the very end,like that the locals respect for the fellow to this very day be a hundred years in just twelve years time hope they do something nice for centenary’s anniversary.thank you for this great story of Lawrence.

[@Lynnthomason45]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. The information was well presented and informative. 😎

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@porcelinaiscariot]

Very informative documentary on TE, thank tou!

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@atodemer1426]

Très beau reportage!

[@johnchristophertonks2528]

Very interesting. I wonder why we were not shown where the accident happened and the trees on the road ?

[@soumiktarafdar6160]

A great documentary. On my wish list to visit Dorset sometime when I visit England again!

[@robertshapiro3733]

Wonderful musical score.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you!

[@paulwilson7234]

An excellent video.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Many thanks!

[@frederickbowdler8169]

Lawrence became a super star from his exploits and went along with the celebrity. finding it too much he retreated to the country side and had a nervous breakdown remember he was quite a solitary soul and found the fine line between stardom and press intrusion problematic .He had or appears to have little contact with his own family though he did have friends .The state valued his intimate knowledge of the Middle East. he could be impulsive and reckless at times .

[@ihbcsomerset6966]

Great documentary, especially to hear from lovely local people and their recollections.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you - some of whom have sadly died since I made it.

[@otisarmyalso]

Well done documentary... having spent about half me working career in Arabia , his life interested me... as his bio was verboten during my days there

[@Peter-lm3ic]

An interesting document but his magnificent marble tomb effigy should be in St Paul's Cathedral where it rightly belongs for thousands of people to be reminded of his determination, courage, foresight and energy!

[@normanrussell5526]

I wonder if anyone has any idea when this documentary was made. I have admired T E Lawrence for most of my life. I have visited this region of Dorset in search of the great Lawrence and where he lived in clouds hill. I believe that Lawrence was vastly misunderstood when he was alive and therefore he was not fully respected by both politicians and certain people in the military.

[@Fuzzamajumula]

It was made in 2006 and reedited in 2022.

[@martinhawley2401]

Thank you for the information brought back memories for me as a child was in a home near bye for many years back in the 1960,ins and remember it very well

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you!

[@MultiSirens]

Brilliant!

[@Greenacre-AV]

We are pleased you think so!

[@RussellJamesStevens]

Lawrence, a true hero and patriot betrayed by lying politicians.

[@daulab]

Wonderful hommage, fantastic documentary.

[@joshron99]

I do not know if I have ever watched an altogether better video depiction of anything.

[@jamesowen1213]

very enjoyable and informative documentary on the Enigma that was TE Lawrence RIP

[@davidcossins1094]

A very well put together documentary, with interesting content. For example, I had no idea that the bier (not a hand cart) was still extant. The only thing that spoiled it for me were the irritating errors in the commentary. Having said that, I mean no disrespect to the presenter. This was truly a labour of love. Thank you.

[@Greenacre-AV]

We tried our best

[@marilynmunro5838]

Personally, I wouldn't believe a word spoken by Meinertzhagen. Lawrence knew what he was and said so.

[@The2012GroupUFO]

A beautiful documentary simply told.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Many thanks!

[@carolmanning8367]

Thanks, I enjoyed watching. He had an interesting life.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterchambers3563]

20:49 : The letters carved above the door of the cottage are actually Greek - the word on the right spells "front" but I can't see the rest of the word

[@Greenacre-AV]

The language over the door is corrected later in the documentary!

[@RS-su3un]

He was great man and had he been listened too the world would not have so many issues and conflicts in the Arabian peninsula. Isn’t it also a shame that people find it so difficult to accept and admit that Thomas was a gay man and even in this film refer to his lover as a ‘friend’ or ‘companion’… Just because he was Gay doesn’t take any of his greatness away.

[@paulscousedownie]

Fascinating I must do a visit to Wareham Museum and cloud cottage. He’s boyhood hero of mine. I have the two volumes of Seven Pillars Of Wisdom which I bought many years ago from bookshop in Bridge North Shropshire. Interesting guy a man of his times a great man.

[@jacquelinehabgood-painter8867]

An excellent presentation.I was "gripped" throughout the whole film

[@berrys5555]

Very enjoyable and excellent insight into the death of T H Lawrance, thank you.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you for your appreciative comment.

[@andrews527]

Noble work, my friends who created this.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

Was Lawrence on the spectrum, it emerges that their mother was extremely sadistic disciplinarian resulting in TE;s sado -masochism, his intelligence transcends this pathology , I think he was a liberator of people hobbled by his own perfectionism.

[@francisebbecke2727]

He was a unique character. A rather troubled soul, sadly.

[@otisarmyalso]

Very good ending to up end movie..l especially Sir Winston RIP upon all souls now departed

[@tedandrews405]

I've stood and admired the magnificent effigy carved by Eric Kennington to honour his friend T.E.Lawrence

[@theressamurphy2996]

This is so sad to me when he was a great man to live the rest of his life hidden away from the press intrusion. Maybe there were people who thought he knew too much?

[@raolhooley]

Nothing mysterious about it Theressa...he was homosexual,of course this isint discussed or even hinted at here..a very poor documentary

[@normanrussell5526]

@@raolhooley I must correct your mis guided remarks. Lawrence was not homosexual as you and many who do not know the history of Lawrence's life. He was asexual, totally uninterested in human sexuality.

[@raolhooley]

@@normanrussell5526 that's total bullshit..lol...there is a ton of evidence.. obviously you live near that river in Egypt..denial..probably religious ,or arch conservative

[@berits.2346]

@raolholey I find it rather sad that people today cannot imagine men ( and women) being close friends without bringing in sexuality.

[@davidbird380]

excellent video, i went to jordan and visited some of the places in the book, some were desolate fly invested sun scorched rocks, Aqaba was lovely though. the brough V twin sounds exactly like modern v twins so I'm sure he'd love the sound of a ducati

[@richmorg8196]

He died in North Wales close to Porthmadoc in Tremadoc in a motorbike accident as there is a plack on the wall

[@raypurchase801]

I'd liketo know the EXACT spot where Lawrence's accident occurred. The road is well-known, but WHERE on the road did it happen?

[@treyblake1]

There's a marker , you can visit it , just down the road from Clouds Hill.

[@davidbird380]

i believe theres two, one at the roadside and another behind a bank where his body came to rest, i plan to go this year

[@frederickbowdler8169]

Really appreciate your research I have learned a lot from between the lines thank you . Lawrence led a quite unusual life and with war politics and possible secret service work became an enigma .

[@grahamcrighton8113]

The words above the door are Greek, Ou Phrontis, and translate to “Who Cares / Does not Care”. It embraces a philosophy of life that was congenial to him: follow your instincts, do not worry about others nor the consequences, and do not lend any importance to the things of this life. In stems from Herodotus In Book VI of the "Histories", Herodotus was a Greek historian and geographer who lived in the fifth century BC. He's often called the "father of history" which Lawrence, as a well read and academic person, would have known well. For more info read Cesil S.R.L.

[@richardcooper9417]

I was told that the road accident was filmed on the road that runs along the top of Dunstable Downs.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Not sure if you mean our reconstruction, filmed on a private road in South Dorset (private as no crash helmet used), or the feature film.

[@JohnBlair-p2z]

Great video. However, no mention was made of his close relationship with George Bernard Shaw, whom he visited on many occasions when Shaw lived in Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordhire ( The Lawrence having no connection), and from whom T E took his pseudonym.

[@johndeakin9359]

Lawrence was a Archeologist and went to Arabia picked up Arabic language and the rest is history before First World War

[@Cloudberry46]

How old is this film? I ask this because many years ago on my first visit to Clouds Hill I had a conversation with the then NT lady in attendance at the cottage. She told me that she was a relation of the Knowles family that were Lawrence's neighbours and friends, and I'm wondering if the lady in this video is the same person. But I guess this must have been at least 40+ years ago. I visited the cottage on a few occasions and had travelled the road from Bovington to Clouds Hill on my motorcycle, but could not really see how Lawrence would not have seen the boys on their bikes.

[@Greenacre-AV]

2005/6 was when my original filming took place.

[@Cloudberry46]

@@Greenacre-AV Could not have been the same person. I am guessing that my first visit must have around 1980.

[@phmwu7368]

Book tip: "The Last Days of TE Lawrence - A Leaf in the Wind" by Paul Marriott and Yvonne Argent. (212 pages 1996 Alpha Press) "Legends in their Lifetime: George Brough and TE Lawrence" by Charles Edmund Allen (352 pages - 2010 The Vintage Motor Cycle Club)

[@ericashmusic8889]

National Security justifies everything, so the "Real Truth" is, the real truth about Lawrence and his so many secret conversations went with him to the grave, & despite Churchill going & showing his respects at the funeral , this was contrary to his previous opinion ( prior to the accident ) that Lawrence was not to be trusted, so that was that ! Such a sad end to a Brave resolute & courageous man. His deprivations sufferings & ill treatment while a captive of the Turks, was horrifying, just to mention one incident alone out of dozens.

[@andrewbocho3896]

If he was seen as a threat, was the accident a real accident? Today, they use plane accidents, suicide or drugs overdose to remove people that are seen as threats.

[@meofnz2320]

While a popular movie device, I think “engineered vehicle accident” is too hard to pull off in reality. The logistics of getting in the right place at the right time, dealing with witnesses, ensuring perpetual silence of all involved from planning to execution, buying the cooperation of the police etc…and finally there’s no certainty that the target will actually die. And in this case he lived for nearly a week.

[@robertshapiro3733]

Lawrence and Lincoln were my two childhood heroes.

[@peterreston6478]

No one would ever had heard of Lawrence if it wasn't for the American journalist Lowell Thomas. Lawrence was complicit in the double crossing of the arabs. He knew of the Sykes-Picot agreement which secretly divided Arabia in accordance with British and French interests. Lawrence was consumed by guilt resulting from his complicity and also suffered from PTSD which plagued him until the end of his life.

[@janwhite6038]

My father was at Bovy Camp the day TEL died. He said he'd heard that TEL had died in a crash with two motorcycles riding in a 'chicken' event where the last one who pulled out was a coward.

[@jefsantamonica641]

Lots of information and I would encourage the people that have documents that they be well preserved rather than in an envelope.

[@harolddburke4726]

Something about Lawrence says learn History like "know thyself".

[@saxx001]

Great narrative Michael for a Great Man, lovely county and Wareham a beautiful place, most enjoyable.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@claytonyoung2515]

Quality

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you!

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

surely he used a chamber pot!

[@JohnBurman-l2l]

Maybe Hells Angels also have smaller rear wheels, because sitting on their bikes or standing they are the same height.

[@TheLookingOne]

Did P.G. Wodehouse ever become intertwined with any of the Lawrence conspiracies?

[@frederickbowdler8169]

I don't believe Brough Superior motorcycles handled very well and I could see that an accident would be inevitable if at speed he suddenly came upon two bicycles.no decent tyres or brakes for that matter in those

[@frederickbowdler8169]

@@columbmurray I agree with you well if he had swerved then handling would have had a small part. mainly speeding he was known for it and was close friends with George Brough who later on on a faster model had all the bikes tested at ton up speeds .My friend collected those motorcycles and bought three from a scrap yard in Manchester for 20 pound in the sixties.I had heard of the legendary bikes and was surprised to see a real bitza machine they looked good when new but required a lot of maintenance

[@johnryan2193]

That's exactly what I was thinking , the technology in that era was nothing like today !

[@cbwilson2398]

I think that's Greek over the door, not Latin.

[@Greenacre-AV]

You obviously did not watch the whole film - it’s explained later on!

[@peterchambers3563]

The Wareham town sign: please note: those are not "stars" , to me they look like "fleur de lys" - but they are upside down - I find that a bit bizarre. And the "mouth" that the speaker talks about is actually a crescent moon - as is often found in Arab flags (but drawn on its back). Maybe this is what caught Lawrence's imagination. On the whole, this is a pretty weird town sign.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Legend has it that the Wareham Town crest was inverted by order of King John because the town church bells were not ringing on his arrival for a state visit.

[@stirlingmoss9637]

The inscription in classic Greek says Ou phrontis which means Why Worry

[@Greenacre-AV]

This is explained later on after you stopped watching!

[@vincentavella5368]

Where exactly is Lawrence's body buried

[@Greenacre-AV]

Moreton village - see video Chapter at 27:24

[@jodypitt3629]

Hi John, I've just emailed you with a drawing of one of T.E. Lawrence's Brough Superior bikes, he owned 3 in his time

[@tonyclough9844]

A guy has Lawrence's bike he bought it cheap in a crashed condition, and only found out when he saw the registration on a photo of the accident.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Back in 2005 our research showed that the crashed Brough was privately owned and the then current owner would not let anyone see it!

[@tonyclough9844]

@@Greenacre-AV so you mean he has a false plate on it.

[@Cloudberry46]

According to George Brough 8 motorcycles were built for Lawrence: ''George I, George II, George III, George IV, George V, George VI, George VII - George VIII was never delivered.''

[@cbwilson2398]

Noticed that the effigy of Lawrence has his legs crossed. Do you have any insight into this? I do know that there is one common belief that men who went on a crusade had effigies with crossed legs.

[@joecmccluskey]

He was probably needing a Piss at the time of the Scupture..... and the Sculptor just left it in....Pishy Pants of Arabia

[@Go_for_it652]

All things shall pass!

[@phubblewubbphubblewubb]

What 'accident', the one involving the wire accross the road?

[@diorocks5858]

In Saudi and Bahrain the people still talk about Lawrence

[@TrumpISAgentORANGE]

Everything is very England. I love it.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Lawrence may have been a hero for Arab nationalists, but he certainly was no hero for Britain. That so many fail (or deliberately ignore) his true agenda and motivations is egregious. I do not know why the Brits have persisted in mythologizing him, as he proved to be an enormously destructive force. Lawrence bears an enormous share of the responsibility for the turmoil, war and bloodshed in the Middle East after World War II

[@LawrenceBishton]

That fred chapman sue posed 2 of said the missing notes from the organ can have the stops put in or pulled out depending if i would like to buy watt i all ready built and own operate thanks for pointing i.t out tho couldnt findy round my own micky mouse untill you moved in

[@LawrenceBishton]

Pat who rolled up to ingledale was delivering parkels for greendale i think he had a ro over the cat in his van i think was david 🤣

[@tonyclough9844]

He left the army as a colonel in 1918 so his pension would be phenomenal.

[@David-lb4te]

54:05. anyone who ties a tie like that, will tell a long story.

[@Greenacre-AV]

Thank you for your comment: the Museum Curator is partially sighted.