A Lovable Man.

Mt Benger Mail, 3 November 1937, Page 1

A Lovable Man.

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

METHODS OF HIS RULE

FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION

A private in the ranks of any section of the British Army is not normally concerned with the conduct of his commanding officer. But circumstances alter cases, as was true in the instance of one of the rank and file of the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force, which operated under Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as “Lawrence of Arabia.” Lawrence organised the Arab revolt against the Turks in 191fi-18, following a period of some year’s in Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia, during which he became acquainted with local conditions which fitted him

for his great work. In .his literary masterpiece, “The Seven Pillar of Wisdom,” Lawrence refers to the small band of English soldiers who accompanied him in his Egyptian Expeditionary Force. The list includes the name of Private A. Barnes, who, in the following account, has given his impressions of Lawrence of Arabia. His observations have interest, as they present an angle of the life and activity of the great soldier which may not have been noted previously-

“He was,” Mr Barnes says, “my commander during my service with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Arabia. This great, ‘little’ man, for whom I have the greatest of esteem, was an outstanding hero. In a foreign land, teeming with all sorts and conditions of men, lawless, unscrupulous, inhuman, this quiet unassuming gentleman ruled and commanded with complete confidence.

“He was always calm, steady and sure. Problems beset him on every side, but he persevered with a complete disregard for possible failure. Even when failures did appear, he was resolute and determined. I saw him smile and his tears—a smile of kindliness, and tears because of a broken plan. His attitude towards these seeming setbacks instilled in me that sense of loyalty and trust which is so necessary when on the brink of despair. “His features were admirable. A small, but rather long face, with a peculiar-shaped upper lip; commanding eyes which ruled men with a look; they were deep and searching, but unmistakably kind. “He spoke in short, clear sentences, with a deliberate accent, never hurried, but calm and possessed. His voice indicated a note of absolute dependence on a divine power. His immutable demeanour was, to me, beyond description. He was, and still is, a mystery to me on one point; How did he achieve the rule over these Arabs and their chieftains? He was not a dictator, nor did he use any dictatorial powers in order to get things done. His secret was, in my opinion, based on a real virtue —love —that undeniable power which conquered and won the affections and loyalty of those people. His Character. “He loved the Arabs and strove to an unlimited degree to further their cause of freedom from the oppression of the Turks. For the latter he held no brief, and anyone who knew him readily perceived that right was might. 'This Lawrence was patient with a highly-strung people, and this virtue undoubtedly carried him right into the hearts of these impetuous men, who needed a morally strong leader. His great fortitude with men was amazing. Night and day he carried on with progress as his one purpose, neither the heat of the day nor the dangers of the night holding the least terror for him. He suffered mentally and bodily without complaint, and scorned publicity and honour. “During the whole of my service under this Colonel, I never saw him in any dress but that of the Arabs, but he was easily recognised by his gold-braided headgear and white silk gown. I could relate much concerning the lovable character, but words would be inadequate to express the respect I hold for this great personality. His accomplishments were masterpieces.”