Patrick Cordingley : ’The Complex Life of Lawrence of Arabia’

Thursday 26 March, 6.30pm (bar opens) for 7pm, Broughton Village Hall

T E Lawrence is one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. In early 1914 he was an archaeologist excavating ruins in Syria; by 1917 he was riding into legend at the head of an Arab army as he battled both the enemy and his own government to bring about the vision he had for the Arab people

Patrick commanded the Desert Rats during the 1991 Gulf War. His huge tank formation led the British and American attack, which breached the Iraqi defences. In 1992 he took command of the 2nd UK Division before being appointed as the military adviser to Sultan Qaboos of Oman. Patrick retired from the Army in 2000 and then completed eight years as chairman of a technology company. During this time he also worked for the BBC as a military commentator. He is now chairman of the Defence and Security Forum, past chairman of the trustees of the Gilbert White’s House with the Oates Collection, the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal, past Master of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers and past chairman and vice-chairman of the governors of two schools. He was a visiting scholar at Hull University, where he is a Doctor of Science. He is the author of two best selling books.

Book here. Tickets (£10) are also available from the Community Shop.