During a recent short break in Dorset, UK, I came across information about a little known memorial
dedicated to a fellow Welshman, T.E. Lawrence.
Visit Date: June 2025
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Thomas Edward Lawrence was born on August 16, 1888, in Tremadog, Caernarvonshire. He was a British Army officer, archaeologist, diplomat, and writer, known for his significant role during the Arab Revolt and the Sinai and Palestine campaign against the Ottoman Empire in World War I. The wide range of his activities and associations, along with his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as "Lawrence of Arabia," a title later used for the 1962 film based on his wartime experiences.
I do not intend to go into detail of Lawrence's life here as this is widely documented on the internet.
On May 13, 1935, Lawrence was fatally injured in an accident while riding his motorcycle in Dorset, near his cottage, Clouds Hill. This occurred just two months after he had left military service. A dip in the road obstructed his view of two boys on their bicycles. As he swerved to avoid them, he lost control and was thrown over the handlebars. He died six days later on May 19, 1935, at the age of 46. One of the doctors who attended to him was neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns, who subsequently began an extensive study on the loss of life among motorcycle dispatch riders due to head injuries. His research ultimately led to the adoption of crash helmets by both military and civilian motorcyclists.
The location of the crash is marked by a small memorial by the roadside. In a small lay-by on the road to his cottage, there is a tribute to the great man: a tree has been planted along with a small plaque. It's easy to miss as you drive by.
However, this tribute is not exactly at the site of the accident; it is conveniently placed nearby. The actual site of the accident was previously marked by another small memorial a few yards down the wooded path.
I am surprised that this memorial is not more widely known, and I felt fortunate to have visited it instead of simply driving past.
Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
50.71335225638947, -2.24753863447354
What Three Words reference: -
///tooth.plodding.haggis
Google Reference: -
50.71335225638947, -2.24753863447354
What Three Words reference: -
///tooth.plodding.haggis
///majoring.sensual.eyebrows
OS Details: -
Grid Ref: SY 82583 90422
Additional information.
Visiting is easy as this is in a lay-by on the public road.
Once at the memorial end of the lay-by follow the small path through the woods to the second memorial.
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