Four Brits FINISH gruelling mission to recreate Lawrence of Arabia’s legendary 700-mile trek on camelback through the Middle East – after coming up with the idea ‘over a couple of glasses of red’

Four British veterans have become the first people to complete an epic recreation of Lawrence of Arabia’s legendary 700-mile trek through the Middle East.

Howard Leedham, James Calder, Craig Ross and Martin Thompson spent a gruelling 25 days on camelback crossing the Nafud desert in Saudi Arabia to mark 90 years since T.E Lawrence’s death.

The four men, who have all served in the British Special Forces, battled 37 degree heat, sandstorms and sheer cliffs throughout the trek which took them from Al Wajh in Saudi Arabia across the desert to Aqaba in Jordan.

The Lawrence Tribute Trek was the brainchild of former SBS marine Mr Leedham.

Mr Leedham, from London, said: ‘I came up with the idea last May with some friends in the pub, probably over a couple of glasses of red.

‘I think a lot of military guys have some sort of admiration or fascination with Lawrence’s story.

‘What he achieved was certainly ahead of his time. The tactics he used have been copied ever since.’

In total, the 1,100km trek took 25 days, with former Top Gear legend Richard Hammond joining them for the final leg of the extraordinary expedition. 

Howard Leedham, James Calder, Craig Ross and Martin Thompson spent a gruelling 25 days on camelback crossing the Nafud desert in Saudi Arabia to mark 90 years since T.E Lawrence’s death

They navigated some of the most demanding desert terrain in the world in scorching heat, which dropped to below freezing at night

Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a First World War hero who led the Arab Revolt against German-supporting Turkey

It was a journey immortalised by Peter O’Toole in the epic 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia

The former marine put out a ‘Shackleton-style’ advert on a social media page for special forces veterans asking for volunteers for the expedition.

Of the 40 replies, James, Craig and Martin were selected to come with him – none of whom had ever ridden a camel before.

After a ten-day camel-riding course, the team set out on their expedition on January 14.

They completed around 30 miles a day on two single-humped camels each alongside a team of medics, cooks and a Bedouin, who looked after the camels.

They navigated some of the most demanding desert terrain in the world in scorching heat, which dropped to below freezing at night.

Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a First World War hero who led the Arab Revolt against German-supporting Turkey.

In 1916 he swept across the desert to Jordan and re-wrote the map of the Middle East.

It was a journey immortalised by Peter O’Toole in the epic 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia and his autobiographical account Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Four British veterans have become the first people to complete an epic recreation of Lawrence of Arabia’s legendary 700-mile trek through the Middle East

The group were gifted special police camels upon crossing the Jordanian border, which are much quicker

The team were honoured by King Abdullah II of Jordan, military personnel and the local community came out with ceremonial displays, traditional music and a grand parade

Irish actor Peter O’Toole in the iconic film (right) and actor Omar Sherif (left)

Along the way the Brits collected sand samples from Fajer, Al Jawari, Bayir and Aqaba, notable spots on Lawrence’s 1917 journey which they plan to spread on Lawrence’s grave in Moreton, Dorset.

The group were gifted special police camels upon crossing the Jordanian border, which are much quicker.

On the penultimate day, the group, along with 40 locals, re-enacted Lawrence’s attack on an Ottoman train that contained their friends and family who had come to celebrate them reaching the endpoint.

The staff on the train were aware of the attack but the tourists were ‘somewhat startled’.

The team received a grande Jordanian welcome when arriving at their final destination in Aqaba on February 7.

They were honoured by King Abdullah II of Jordan, military personnel and the local community came out with ceremonial displays, traditional music and a grand parade.

So far the group have raised £430,000 for the Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund and hope to reach their £500,000 target by the time of the ceremony at Lawrence’s grave in May.

The group will reunite alongside members of the Lawrence Society to spread the sand on his grave on May 19, 90 years after Lawrence’s death in a motorbike accident.

In total, the 1,100km trek took 25 days, while It took the original group over two months to complete the trek

British aircraftman T. E. Lawrence during his brief stint in the RAF, 1922

Mr Leedham added: ‘Once I had picked the others to join me and we had secured the team, I gave them ten days of camel riding training. I knew that once they were a few days into the trek they should be ok with the riding.

‘Riding a camel is completely different to riding a horse. There are lots of different saddles and requires a lot of core strength.

‘We had to find camels in Saudi Arabia and Jordan because we couldn’t smuggle them over the border. King Abdullah found out about our expedition and very kindly loaned us four police camels for the Jordanian leg.

‘They were so strong and we only needed one each. We had needed two per day in Saudi Arabia.

‘The scenery throughout the trek was absolutely stunning and so picturesque.

‘Stopping at the sites where Lawrence stopped was really nice and very poignant. Everyone was so welcoming to us.

‘We did have to add a bit onto the journey to find the right place to cross the border from Saudi Arabia to Jordan but we quickly linked back up with the route.

‘One of the nights we was there was one of the worst ones as it got down to about minus four degrees.

‘I think we were all glad when we arrived in Aqaba that we didn’t have to fight a battle like Lawrence did.

‘Riding into the fort was a very poignant moment though and was such a mix of emotions.

‘I’m sure when we get the whole team back together in May it will be a great day and a nice celebration.’

The trek was named the Nasir, Bekri, Tayi and Lawrence Tribute Trek, after the Arab leaders of the original expedition – Sherif Nasir, Auda abu Tayi and Nesib el-Bekri.

It took the original group over two months to complete the route.

The Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund gives funding to ex-special forces soldiers who are suffering personal struggles later in life.

TE Lawrence was killed in a motorbike accident near his home at Bovington, Dorset, in 1935.

He is buried in the graveyard of St Nicholas Church in Moreton.

Mr Leedham said he might try another fundraising challenge in 2026.

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