T. E. Lawrence Society

Lawrence of Arabia Legacy Lecture Series: T. E. Lawrence and the Red Sea Patrol
2024-11-24 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Oxfordshire
On November 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM CT (US time zone) John Johnson-Allen will offer the third program in the 2024 T. E. Lawrence Society series Lawrence of Arabia: Legacy Lectures hosted by the US National World War I Museum and Memorial.
The title of his presentation is T. E. Lawrence and the Red Sea Patrol.
Despite its integral role in the success of the 1916 Arab Revolt, the British Royal Navy’s Red Sea Patrol is seldom mentioned in scholarship on T. E. Lawrence. Evidence demonstrates that without the work of those ships, the revolt would have failed and Lawrence would have remained an obscure officer in the military bureaucracy of Cairo.
Delve into the significance of this campaign with maritime historian and former Merchant Navy officer John Johnson-Allen, author of “T.E. Lawrence and the Red Sea Patrol: The Royal Navy’s Role in Creating the Legend.”
This program is free to Society and Museum members and the general public. To register for it please visit the Museum’s website link at: Lawrence Lecture Series: T. E. Lawrence and the Red Sea Patrol (Nov. 2024) | National WWI Museum and Memorial (theworldwar.org)

Joint presentation by the T E Lawrence Society & the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship
2024-11-28 19:00 - 20:15 UTC | Oxfordshire
The Society is pleased to announce a special Zoom presentation in conjunction with the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship.
Thursday 28 November 2024 at 7pm (UK time), ends at 8.15pm
Programme of Speakers
Kevin Winter, Chair of the T.E. Lawrence Society
A brief look at the life of T. E. Lawrence
Jean Moorcroft Wilson, President of the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship
The key facts about Siegfried Sassoon
Martin Gething
The plaque in memory of T. E. Lawrence by Siegfried Sassoon at Salisbury Hospital
Christian Major, Vice Chair of the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship
The friendship of Siegfried Sassoon and T.E. Lawrence
Susan Vincent
The graves of Siegfried Sassoon and T.E. Lawrence
Please use the link below to register in advance.
When: Nov 28, 2024 07:00 PM London
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEkc-igrTIjE9DvOwBEhufQjbqEMf_VNeG2
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
A reminder will be sent 2 days before the presentation.

Lawrence Lecture Series: Lawrence in Portraiture
2025-02-23 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Oxfordshire
Zoom Conference
Sunday 23 February 2025
2:00 PM (CST-USA) 8:00 PM (UK TIME)
What is a visual portrait? What is the triangular dynamic that defines artistic portraiture? Using these questions, author Charles Grosvenor will explore the vast portfolio of portrait images of T.E. Lawrence and trace Lawrence’s quest to observe how artists perceived him.
Please join us for this presentation of Lawrence in Portraiture on Sunday February 23rd at 2:00 PM (CST-USA) (8:00 PM UK TIME). It is brought to you by the T. E. Lawrence Society and the National World War I Museum and Memorial and is free to members and friends but one must register for it at:
Lawrence Lecture Series: Lawrence in Portraiture | National WWI Museum and Memorial (theworldwar.org)

Lawrence of Arabia 90th Anniversary Commemorations at Wareham Museum
2025-05-16 - 2025-05-17 | Wareham Museum, Town Hall, East St, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4NS

90th Anniversary Of The Death Of T.E. Lawrence
2025-05-19 11:15 - 12:15 UTC | Moreton Cemetary, BH20 7NQ, United Kingdom
To mark the 90th anniversary of the death of T.E. Lawrence the annual laying of flowers on Lawrence’s Grave will take place at Moreton Church Cemetery.
In attendance will be the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset and members of the Special Forces Club who in January 2025 retraced the steps of T.E. Lawrence and others who in 1917 rode 685 miles across the ‘Uncrossable’ from Al Wejh to Aqaba.

40th Anniversary of the founding of the T E Lawrence Society Sunday 29th June @ 2000 BST via Zoom
2025-06-29 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Oxfordshire
To mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the T E Lawrence Society in a meeting at the Red Lion, Wareham on 29th June 1985 a special Zoom talk has been arranged by Susan Vincent. Ingrid Keith, who attended that first meeting and became the first Secretary will reflect on how and why the Society was formed, in conversation with our Chairman, Kevin Winter.
Also joining the conversation will be Richard Knowles of Rickaro Books, who was also at the inaugural meeting, Alan Payne, former Vice Chairman and Brough expert, Lorraine Tinsley, long term member and author, Veronique Thevoz, long time member and part of the London Group for many years and Rachel Snowden, who joined the Society last year. They will reflect on how and why they joined the Society and memorable moments during their membership.
We hope you can join us to celebrate 40 years of your Society. Details for joining the Zoom meeting are below:
T E Lawrence Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: TEL Society 40th Anniversary Celebration
Time: Jun 29, 2025 08:00 PM London
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Clouds Hill's 'Picture of 'Gray' - TE Lawrence, HS Tuke, and a mystery solved by Dr. John Chu.
2025-07-25 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Dorchester Corn Exchange, Dorchester Corn Exchange, High St East, Dorchester, DT1 1HF, United Kingdom
Date: Friday 25th July 2025
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Corn Exchange, Dorchester
Admission: Free
The recent conservation of the painting of a soldier on a beach at Clouds Hill re-opened an art-historical cold case. Can the picture really be a likeness of TE Lawrence, whom the soldier seems to resemble? Join the National Trust’s Senior Curator of Pictures and Sculpture, Dr John Chu to examine the archival and physical evidence gathered by volunteers, conservators, and curators, and retrace the path to solving a mystery.
To book a place for this event, please click on this link

A Walk Around Laurence's Uxbridge
2025-08-02 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Oxfordshire
Celebrating 40 years of The T E Lawrence Society 1985 – 2025
A WALK AROUND LAWRENCE’S UXBRIDGE
SATURDAY, 2ND AUGUST 2025
There are just a few places left for what will be a rewarding walk around Uxbridge in the footsteps of T E Lawrence, but you must book please by Tuesday 15th July as we need to confirm numbers with the Battle of Britain Bunker and Museum. Please email Ian Heritage, Hon. Secretary – details below.
Join us for a walk around Uxbridge town centre and the site of RAF Uxbridge, on Saturday 2nd August, to see some of the locations described by Lawrence in The Mint.
There have been many changes to the town since Lawrence was stationed there in 1922-1923 and RAF Uxbridge was demolished completely in 2010. However, there is still enough surviving to make this an interesting and evocative visit. We will start in Uxbridge town centre at 11.00am and will visit St Margaret’s Church, the sites of Vine Street railway station and the Eight Bells Pub, the surviving RAF cinema building, Hillingdon House and other remains of the original Depot. The walk will end at the Battle of Britain Bunker and museum and there will be an opportunity to visit these. The day is expected to end at 4.30-5.00pm. There is a cafe at the Bunker for lunch or people can bring their own and sit in the surrounding park.
The basic price is £15.00, which includes admission to the Bunker & museum and a donation to St Margaret’s Church (concessions available for over-65s, Defence, Blue Light, Students and Hillingdon residents). Please note that the WW2 Bunker & museum have no connection with Lawrence (the museum makes no mention at all of TE!) but this is a fascinating place to visit. It was from here that many of the key air operations of WW2 were conducted. The Bunker staff are going to see if they can dig out some Lawrence artefacts to show us.
Places are limited to 20 people. If you wish to join the walk please email the Honorary Secretary hon.secretary@telsociety.co.uk providing answers to the following questions:
1. Do you wish to visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker & Museum while you are on the walk?
2. Do you qualify for any of the concessionary rates?
3. Your mobile number in case of any sudden changes of plan (if no mobile then your landline).
4. Your address.
Please reply by 15th July. You will then be given further information, including joining details and how to pay.
We look forward to seeing you there.

T E Lawrence Society 40th Anniversary AGM Weekend, Bridlington 3rd - 5th October 2025
2025-10-03 - 2025-10-05 | Oxfordshire
Please click the Eventbrite button below to make your reservation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the T E Lawrence Society in Wareham in June 1985. To celebrate we have put together a programme of events in Bridlington, where the last photograph of TEL was taken on the day he left the RAF, before cycling off, via a circuitous route, to Clouds Hill. The programme for the weekend is as follows:
Friday 3rd October

1330 – Meet at Bridlington Railway Station Car Park. Drive to White Cottage, 3 Eastgate, Hornsea, HU18 1DN. White Cottage was the home of Flt Lt Reginald Sims, a friend of TEL’s, where he stayed on a number of occasions.
On completion – return to Bridlington, check into hotels. Opportunity to visit Bridlington Old Town or Ian Deheer’s cottage, The Cuddey North Marine Road, Flamborough, Bridlington, YO15 1BA. The North Star is close by and offers parking and refreshments. It is 15 minute’s drive from the centre of Bridlington.
1900 – Meet at Salt on the Harbour, South Marine Drive, Bridlington YO15 3AW for a relaxed meal. Meet Linda Ellis author of Lawrence of Arabia in Bridlington.

Saturday 4th October

1030 – Meet at the Harbour Heritage Museum to view the TEL related displays and other museum exhibits. If the group is too big we will split in half with the other half visiting the sundial in South Cliff Gardens before swapping over.
1130 – Visit the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club, formerly the Ozone Hotel, where TEL stayed during his time in Bridlington.
On completion – Free time to have lunch in one of the many cafes in Bridlington.
1400 – 1500: AGM in the Promenade Bar, Bridlington Spa
1500 – 1600: My friendship with Wing Commander John Sims – Richard Knowles
1600 – 1630: Talk on T E Lawrence sculpture for Bridlington – Steve Carvill
1900 – Dinner at the Revelstoke Hotel, 1 – 3 Flamborough Road, YO15 2HU

Sunday 5th October

9:30 for 10:00 check out of hotels [no concessions for late risers!]and make our way to Sledmere House, Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG.
10:30 for 11:00 Coffee available at Sledmere House
11:00 – Courtyard Room : talks on Sir Mark Sykes and comparisons/interactions with TEL
12: 00 – Courtyard Room [TBC] view documents on Sykes/Picot negotiations, talk and discussion
13:00 – buffet lunch in Courtyard Roomc-Option of looking around gardens/memorials
14:00 – talks on logistic background to Arab Revolt and visit Waggoners Museum [optional]
c 16:00 – disperse

War Poetry Conference 8th - 9th November 2025
2025-11-08 - 2025-11-09 | Oxfordshire
In conjunction with the Thomas Hardy Society, the T E Lawrence Society is organising a War Poetry Conference, a weekend of talks and commemorations.
Venues for the weekend are: The Dorford Centre, St Mary’s Church and The Casterbridge Room, The King’s Arms, Dorchester.
Full details can be found here: https://www.hardysociety.org/…/ths-war-poetry-conference/
Bookings are now open and tickets can be purchased from the link. Members of the organising Societies will get priority until 15th September.

A Centenary of Seven Pillars: The First Edition
2026-04-19 20:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Oxfordshire
Lawrence Lecture Series: A Centenary of Seven Pillars: The First Edition
April 19, 2026 2:00 PM (CDT-USA) 8:00 PM (UK TIME)

In print since its publication in 1926, T. E. Lawrence’s “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” has been celebrated for a century. As fewer than 200 copies of this edition were published, most readers are unfamiliar with its original artwork and typography.
Lift the covers of this book with Valerie Thompson as she examines – from oil paintings to cartoon caricatures to unusual page layouts – the unconventional inspiration and structure of Lawrence’s beloved masterpiece. Please join us for her presentation A Centenary of Seven Pillars: The First Edition on Sunday April 19th at 2:00 PM (CDT-USA) 8:00 PM (UK TIME).
This program is brought to you by the T. E. Lawrence Society and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. It is free to members and friends but one must register for it at:
Lawrence Lecture Series | A Centenary of Seven Pillars:
The First Edition | National WWI Museum and Memorial (theworldwar.org)
If you are like most you have probably not viewed or touched a copy of this rare book. So if you are curious you may view one in this video presented by Peter Harrington Rare Books at: The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T. E. Lawrence. Subscriber’s Edition 1926. Peter Harrington Rare Books – YouTube And if you would like to page through it and even have your own copy it is available (free) from the United States Library of Congress at: Seven pillars of wisdom; a triumph. | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
Again please join us on April 19th at 2:00 PM (CDT-USA) 8:00 PM (UK TIME) for Valerie Thompson’s A Centenary of Seven Pillars: The First Edition, and please share this invitation with others.

Zoom Call: Discussion with Dick Benson-Gyles
2026-05-10 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Oxfordshire
Discussion with Dick Benson-Gyles, author of The Boy in the Mask
Sunday 10th May 2026 at 20:00 (U.K. Time) via Zoom

As a follow on from last years Zoom discussion with authors of TEL related books we are pleased to announce that Dick Benson-Giles, author of The Boy in the Mask, will discuss the writing of this masterpiece of the unravelling of T.E. Lawrence’s family background. This involved visiting Ireland and meeting many of the relatives who have now since died. Dick also spent time with Robert Graves and Faridah el Akle and has his own candidate for the identity of SA, the dedicatee of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom poem.
Dick will discuss in detail, how he went about his research and tell us some of the highlights of his journey including the time he just missed being able to meet one of T.E.s half sisters.
Kevin Winter will Chair the event and the author will be interviewed by Susan Vincent and Ann Meyer. This will then be followed by questions.
The discussion will take place on Sunday 10th May at 20:00 UK time via Zoom. The link is below.
There is no need to register but please ensure you join the discussion by clicking the link below a few minutes before 20:00 to ensure a prompt start.
T E Lawrence Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: A discussion with Dick Benson-Gyles
Time: May 10, 2026 08:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95781330896?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 957 8133 0896
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Eamonn Gearon presents: Lawrence of Arabia and ME
2026-08-07 - 2026-08-29 | Symposium Hall, 10 Hill Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9DR, United Kingdom

Symposium 2026
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-20 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford, Godstow Road, Oxford, OX2 8AL, United Kingdom
Society Symposium Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September 2026

Our Symposium in September 2026 returns to Oxford, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford. We will welcome speakers from across the world, with a special emphasis on the centenary of the publication of the Subscribers Edition and US edition of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Our four-star conference centre and hotel has excellent lecture facilities and breakout areas as well as on-site parking, an indoor swimming pool, fitness suite and leisure facilities. It is situated on Godstow Road, Oxford OX2 8AL, just outside the city near Peartree Roundabout /Park and Ride, just off the A34, and there are direct buses into Oxford city centre.
The weekend programme focuses on a full programme of Saturday and Sunday lectures, incorporating our Society AGM as well as a Saturday evening drinks reception and formal dinner.
There will be an additional event on Friday afternoon, comprising a tour of the famous Wolvercote cemetery where Lawrence’s parents, J R R Tolkien and others are buried, followed by an afternoon talk.
Hotel rooms can be booked now, direct with the hotel at a special guaranteed bed and breakfast rate per person of: single Friday £175, Saturday £190; double/twin Friday £190, Saturday £205, quoting reference LHTHET180926. These bookings have free cancellation until 3pm on 11th September. You can book through other agencies but tariffs and terms and conditions may vary.
https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/oxford/leonardo-royal-hotel-oxford
Alternatively, you can choose to stay at other hotels and guest houses in Oxford city; we suggest you check that the location allows easy travel access to the Leonardo Hote in Godstow Road.
Symposium 2026 Booking Form
TELS Symposium 2026 Programme
