A NEW book by prolific author Rodney Legg takes a look at one of Dorset's most famous and enigmatic figures of history, Lawrence of Arabia.

May 13 marks the 70th anniversary of T E Lawrence's death following a fatal motorcycle crash near his home at Clouds Hill near Bovington Camp.

Lawrence of Dorset: From Arabia to Clouds Hill, is the story of Lawrence of Arabia's cottage at Clouds Hill - a former gamekeeper's cottage a mile from the military camp.

It was where he lived from 1923 up until his fatal crash just 400 yards along Tank Park Road on May 15, 1935.

For many, the image of the First World War hero will forever be the young soldier dressed in flowing Arabian robes - a world away from rural Dorset where he enlisted as Trooper Shaw of the Tank Corps.

This book presents a fascinating collection of photographs and covers the significant events which help explain his search for soli-tude and obscurity in Dorset.

T E Lawrence described his decision to enlist in a subordinate position in the ranks as a "mind-suicide" and it was clear he thought the Royal Tank Corps were anything but royal, stating: "The Army is muck, stink and desolate abomination."

In contrast he enthused about Clouds Hill which he rented from the Frampton family, owners of the Moreton estate, for two shillings and sixpence (12.5p) a week, and later bought.

Lawrence of Dorset is published by Dorset Publishing Company at Wincanton Press, priced £15, ISBN 0-948699-78-7.

First published: May 13