An Army veteran has recounted how he become one of the first to retrace the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia.
The grand journey, which was recounted by Peter O’Toole in the iconic 1962 film, spans across 700 miles over Middle Eastern sands, from Saudi Arabia to Jordan.
Howard Leedham spoke to GB News about his 25-day-long trek on camelback across the Nafud desert, accompanied by three other veterans, in February.
The trip, during which the four endured high temperatures, sandstorms and steep cliffs, was to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Lawrence’s death.
The former special forces officer told the People’s Channel: “We started off with five riders. Four riders made it.
“The last nine days we spent in Jordan. And one of the things that in Saudi, we would basically follow Lawrence’s route from water to water and go to the same wells that he had gone, because that’s what they had to do as they worked their way around the desert.
Mr Leedham further marvelled at the topography of Jordan and just how “well recorded” history has been documented, allowing the adventurers to follow almost the exact route that Lawrence trod and to sleep where Lawrence slept.
“We could really feel what they were doing and how they tactically moved down in order to take the port of Aqaba,” the officer added.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the war hero
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The entire journey of 700 miles took 25 days, where the group would cover 50km to 60km every day and collected sand from four areas along the trek to scatter after on Lawrence’s grave in Dorset.
The ex-SBS marine said: “Now what’s happened is His Majesty King Abdullah and the Jordan Heritage Revival Company, which is run by the one of King Abdullah’s funds, they wanted to open this up to adventure tourists.”
As a result, five tourist treks for £8,000 will be held next year.
T E Lawrence is a First World War legend who commanded the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, travelling from Saudi Arabia to Jordan in 1916 to update the map of the Middle East.
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Mr Leedham said: “When we did it, it was January. So when we earned the altitude, there is probably about 1500 meters to 1800 meters above sea level, so we would get a little bit of warmth during the day.
“But at night in the desert we went down to minus five. I think there was one one night when the water would actually freeze our tent.
“But the ground underfoot changes constantly. You’ve got sort of volcanic desert that you have to drop across.
“And then you go towards the Hijaz Mountains, you then have to cross the Hijaz Mountains, which is spectacular.”
Mr Leedham sat down with Charlie Peters and Olivia Utley on Saturday Morning Live
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The group then ascended 1,800 metres, entering Wadi Rum by a cobbled zigzag path which is mentioned by Lawrence in Lawrence’s biography Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
“It was a test of endurance and all the Special Forces regiments were represented in the riding team,” he told Charlie Peters and Olivia Utley.
While his team completed the mammoth task of 50km a day, the tourists will only have to trek 20km during the journey.
After completing 12 miles, the groups will be taken to the next camp in 4x4s, enjoying the delightful cuisine Jordan has to offer and gather around campfires.
