A historian has penned a book on places of interest to a Dorset-based famous 20th century army officer and diplomat. 

Paul Kendall has written a book on the life of T.E Lawrence, otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia - who became known for his role in the Arab revolt between 1916-1918, as well as the Sinai and Palestine campaign against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

The book, Lawrence of Arabia – Colonel T.E. Lawrence CB, DSO – Places and Objects of Interest, tells the story of Lawrence’s life through places and objects associated with him which are placed in chronological order.

Detailing Lawrence's life through objects, the book will explore the start of his career in the army.

Lawrence served under the alias Private T.E. Shaw with the Royal Tank Corps when starting at the Bovington tank range at Bovington Camp. One of the Lawrence Trail display panels is situated adjacent to the tank range.

Dorset Echo: T.E. Lawrence lived in Dorset

The book captures the moments when Lawrence visited to Lulworth Cove, where he went absent without leave during his basic training.

Lawrence bought Clouds Hill Cottage in Wareham which he initially leased from 1923 to 1924.

It is reported that he would spend leave between 4.30pm until 9pm after completing his working day at Bovington Camp.

He eventually bought the cottage and owned it between 1928 to 1935. Paul's book delves into Lawrence’s personal affinity with the music room where he would welcome E.M. Foster, Thomas Hardy and George Bernard Shaw as guests.

Dorset Echo: The music room at Clouds Hill

Lawrence was a close friend of Thomas Hardy, and the pair would also meet at the author’s house in Max Gate, Dorchester, which is also referenced.

With the Bovington Camp close to Wareham, Lawrence would regularly visit Anglebury House for tea.

R.W. Strange, who owned a barber shop, would cut his hair and according to the current proprietor of Anglebury House, there was a tea room on this site and that Lawrence would come in for tea when he visited his friend, the local butcher, who lived next door which was a private house.

The tearoom and the butcher’s house would eventually be merged into one building to form Anglebury House, which is a hotel. Visitors can now stay in Room 1, named the Lawrence Room because this was where Lawrence slept when visiting his friend.

Paul’s book also writes about the memorials denoting the site of Lawrence’s fatal motorcycle crash south of his home from Clouds Hill, as well his place of death at the Bovington military hospital and his funeral at St Nicholas Church in Moreton- which former Prime Minister Winston Churchill attended.

Dorset Echo: Lawrence's grave at Moreton

Another more curious addition to Lawrence's impact through items in the county includes the funeral bier which carried Lawrence’s coffin.

Dorset Echo: The funeral bier which carried Lawrence’s coffin is now a cake stand in the Dovecote CaféIt is now a cake stand in the Dovecote Café opposite the church where he was buried.

Paul is a military historian and author from Kent specialising in the First World War, however he has written an array of books across all periods, including Henry VIII in 100 objects.

The book is marked for release on Tuesday, April 30 and is published by Pen and Sword books.

For more information and to buy the book, visit https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Lawrence-of-Arabia-Hardback/p/49815#