T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, is one of the most intriguing individuals of the twentieth century, who remarkably had strong associations with buildings and places in London.

At the beginning of the First World War between October to November 1914, he was attached to the Geographic Section at the Old War Office Building in Whitehall. Here he was tasked to produce maps of Sinai and a military guide showing routes through the region.

When he returned from Arabia, he was invited by King George V to receive the Companion of the Bath, a knighthood, for his involvement in the capture of Akaba and a Distinguished Service Order for his role in the Battle of Tafileh at Buckingham Palace on 30 October 1918. The King was ready to confer the honours and knight him with a sword, but Lawrence felt strongly that the reputation of Britain would be tarnished because of its failure to fulfil the promise of an independent Arabian state and their betrayal in order to satisfy France’s demands for land in Syria.

Colonial Office overlooking St James’s Park where Lawrence worked as an advisor to Winston Churchill in 1921 (Paul Kendall Collection).

Lawrence had played a pivotal role in the Arab Revolt, but his exploits in Arabia remained unknown until August 1919 when American journalist Lowell Thomas presented a series of lectures at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and later at the Royal Albert Hall that would raise awareness of his role during the war and establish Lawrence as a household name.

In 1921, Lawrence worked for Winston Churchill, who was at that time Secretary of State for the Colonies. They would prepare for the Cairo Conference at the Colonial Office which is now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office which overlooks St James’s Park. Lawrence’s influence in the outcome of this conference would help shape the Middle East that exists today.

Disillusioned with British politicians’ treatment of the Arabs and uncomfortable with the fame generated from his persona as Lawrence of Arabia, in an effort to evade unwanted press intrusion Lawrence decided to join the Royal Air Force. On 30 August 1922, Lawrence was recruited as an aircraftsman at the RAF recruitment office at No.4 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden by Flying Officer William Earl Johns, the creator of Biggles. He was advised to enlist under the alias, John Hume Ross, by Air Vice Marshal Sir Oliver Swann. Johns became suspicious because Lawrence had enlisted under an alias and initially rejected him, but his decision was overruled by Swann.

On 1 September 1922, Lawrence began his basic training at RAF Uxbridge. He did not excel at drill on the parade ground, but he demonstrated his prowess as a marksman on the firing range, which aroused the attention of superior officers. He concealed his past as Lawrence of Arabia by informing his superiors that he had done some game shooting. The RAF firing range still stands in Dowding Park.

T.E. Lawrence and his Brough Superior motorcycle

During the 1920’s, the architect, Herbert Baker allowed Lawrence to live in the attic of his office at No.14 Barton Street in Westminster which commemorates his association with a blue plaque. He stayed intermittently during his leave from the RAF and it was here that he wrote some his book about his experiences in Arabia entitled Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

It was from Barton Street, during February 1929, that Lawrence, dressed in RAF uniform, went to the lobby of the House of Commons to meet Ernest Thurtle, Labour MP for Shoreditch to appeal to him not to ask any questions in the House of Commons regarding his recent period of service with the RAF in India. There was speculation that Lawrence was involved in a revolt that was taking place in Afghanistan which was not the case. Lawrence was able to convince Thurtle that he served as an aircraftsman and the MP was persuaded not to pursue the matter. Lawrence was concerned that any attention from politicians and the press would result in him being discharged from the RAF and he feared that the reputation of his parents raising four illegitimate sons would become public knowledge and cause a scandal.

When Lawrence was in London, he would ride his Brough Superior in places where he was forbidden. According to his friend, Ralph Isham, he rode through the tram tunnel that leads from Waterloo Bridge to Kingsway, near Holborn and he would ride down the Duke of York Stairs from Waterloo Place into the Mall.

Eight months after his death, a bronze bust of Lawrence, sculptured by his friend, Eric Kennington, was unveiled on 29 January 1936 in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral, where it overlooks the tomb on Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.

Paul Kendall is the author of Lawrence of Arabia: Places & Objects of Interest.