Four British veterans have become the first people to complete an epic recreation of Lawrence or Arabias legendary trek of 700 miles through the Middle East.
Howard Leedham, James Calder, Craig Ross and Martin Thompson spent a debilitating 25 days on Camelback that crossed the Nafud desert in Saudi Aarabia to mark 90 years since the death of Te Lawrence.
The four men, all of whom have served in the British special troops, fought 37 degrees heat, sandstorms and pure cliffs through the trek that brought them from Al Wajh in Saudi Aarabia over the desert to Aqaba in Jordan.
The tribute tribute of Lawrence was the brainchild of former SBS Marine Mr Leedham.
Mr Leedham said from London: 'I came up with the idea last May with some friends in the pub, probably more than a few glasses of red.
'I think that many military boys have a kind of admiration or fascination for the story of Lawrence.
“What he achieved was certainly ahead of his time. The tactics he used have since been copied. '
In total, the 1,100 km Trek lasted 25 days, with the former top equipment legend Richard Hammond joined them for the last stage of the extraordinary expedition.
Four British veterans have become the first people to complete an epic recreation of Lawrence or Arabias legendary trek of 700 miles through the Middle East
In total, the 1,100 km Trek lasted 25 days, while the original group took more than two months to complete the Trek
The group was gifted special police camels when crossing the Jordanian border, which are much faster
The former Navy released a 'Shackleton-style' advertisement on a social media page for special forces veterans who ask for volunteers for the expedition.
Of the 40 answers, James, Craig and Martin were selected to go with him – whoever had never driven a camel before.
After a ten -day camel course, the team left their expedition on January 14.
They completed about 30 miles a day on two single-Humped camels each next to a team of doctors, chefs and a Bedouins who took care of the camels.
They navigated one of the most demanding desert site in the world in burning heat, which dropped under freezing at night.
Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a Hero First World War that led the Arab rebellion against German-supporting Turkey.
In 1916 he wiped over the desert to Jordan and wrote the map of the Middle East again.
It was a trip immortalized by Peter O'Toole in the Epic 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia and his autobiographical report Seven pillars of wisdom.
Along the way, the British gathered sand samples from Fajer, Al Jawari, Bayir and Aqaba, remarkable places on Lawrence's journey from 1917 that they intend to spread on Lawrence's grave in Moreton, Dorset.
The group was gifted special police camels when crossing the Jordanian border, which are much faster.
On the penultimate day, the group, together with 40 locals, made the attack of Lawrence on an Ottoman train that contained their friends and family who had come to celebrate to reach the end point.
The staff on the train was aware of the attack, but the tourists were 'somewhat shocked'.
The team received a Grande Jordan's welcome upon arrival at their final destination in Aqaba on 7 February.
They were honored by King Abdullah II of Jordan, military staff and the local community came out with ceremonial displays, traditional music and a large parade.
Howard Leedham, James Calder, Craig Ross and Martin Thompson spent a debilitating 25 days on Camelback that crossed the Nafud desert in Saudi -Arabia to mark 90 years since the death of Te Lawrence
They navigated one of the most demanding desert site in the world in scorching heat, which dropped under freezing at night
Until now, the group has collected £ 430,000 for the Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund and hope to achieve their goal of £ 500,000 against the ceremony in Lawrence's grave in May.
In addition to members of the Lawrence Society, the group will reunite to spread the sand on his grave on 19 May, 90 years after the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident.
Mr Leedham added: 'When I chose 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 in the trip for a few days, they should be in order when driving.
'Riding a camel is completely different from driving on a horse. There are many different saddles and requires much core strength.
'We had to find camels in Saudi Aarabia and Jordan because we could not smuggle them across the border. King Abdullah discovered our expedition and borrowed us very friendly four police camels for the Jordanian leg.
“They were so strong and we only needed one. We needed two a day in Saudi Arabia.
'The landscape during the trek was absolutely amazing and so picturesque.
'Stopping at the locations where Lawrence stopped was really nice and very moving. Everyone was so hospitable for us.
'We had to add a little to the trip to find the right place to cross the border from Saudi Aarabia to Jordan, but we quickly connected to the route again.
“One of the nights that we were was one of the worst because it came about at least four degrees.
'I think we were all happy when we arrived in Aqaba that we didn't have to fight like Lawrence.
'Driving in the fort, however, was a very moving moment and was such a mix of emotions.
“I'm sure when we get the whole team together again in May, it will be a great day and a fun party.”
It was a trip immortalized by Peter O'Toole in the 1962 epic film Lawrence from 1962
Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a Hero First World War that led the Arab rebellion against German-supporting Turkey
The tour was called the Nasir, Kokri, 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 for more than two months to complete the route.
The Special Forces Club Benevlent Fund gives financing to former specific forces soldiers who later suffer personal struggles.
Te Lawrence was killed in a motorcycle accident near his house in Bovington, Dorset, in 1935.
He is buried in the cemetery of the St Nicholas Church in Moreton.
Mr Leedham said that in 2026 he could try another fundraising challenge.
