Lawrence of Arabia in Northwich


One of the most enigmatic figures of the 20th century was “Lawrence of Arabia”, a man whose life and death was shrouded in mystery.  His real name was Thomas Edward Lawrence, a British soldier who found everlasting fame through organising an Arab revolt against the Turks, Britain’s enemy during the First World War.  What happened to him afterwards is still the subject of much controversy. Was his death an accident, or was he assassinated as he rode his powerful motorbike near to his home, Clouds Hill, in Dorset?

A year earlier, in March 1934, Lawrence had turned up in Northwich, a visit that created quite a stir even if it was supposed to be a well-guarded secret.  He arrived under the name of Aircraftsman T.E. Shaw, one of three representatives of the Air Ministry who were here to supervise trials of Royal Air Force Auxiliary “Aquarius”, built at Yarwood’s dockyard in Navigation Road. He stayed for three weeks at the Crown & Anchor Hotel in High Street, and years later the landlord gave a remarkable insight into the desert hero:

“He was a slightly-built man in civilian clothes, in height about 5ft-6ins, and I’d guess not much over seven stones. He had fair hair and very blue eyes, when you could see them, for he never looked at you direct. A very shy man, I think. One night we had a short walk together, from which I gathered he was a rebel against all authority. I recollect he said that the man who invented income-tax should be shot. We kept mum about his visit for if the newsmen had got wind of it there would have been no peace in the Crown & Anchor.”

The local press did get hold of the story, but not until Lawrence had left town. The Northwich Guardian reported: “Unknown to any but a select few, Aircraftsman T.E.Shaw ­­­– Lawrence of Arabia ­--– has been here. Secrecy has surrounded the movemnets of the party since they arrived. The visitors made their headquarters at the Crown & Anchor Hotel and freely mixed with other guests, but only one or two knew that one of the trio was the distinguished traveller and airman.”

Clive Guthrie in “W.J. Yarwood & Sons Ltd – a brief history” explains that Yarwood’s had long been building a steam coaster for an unknown shipping company who had then cancelled their order. The vessel was sold to the Air Ministry and, on February 14, 1934, launched and named “Aquarius”.
In his book, “Shipbuilder’s Apprentice”, Ken Evans recalls seeing the “Aquariusin the river behind the Crown & Anchor, “floodlit and dressed with flags”. This would have been on the evening before “Aquarius” finally left Northwich and it coincides with a dinner attended by Lawrence and  Yarwood’s personnel.

Lawrence kept out of the limelight during his vist, but one family still cherishes an autograph he gave to a Crown & Anchor maid. It’s headed ”Northwich”, dated March 1934, and signed “T.E. Shaw”.

 “Aquarius” eventually made a 9,000-mile maiden voyage to Singapore, to serve as a depot ship for flying boats.  On board was Bob Clayton whose father kept the Penrhyn Arms, in New Street. An experienced fitter with Yarwood’s, Bob had accepted a three-year contract to serve as second engineer.

Later, when Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942 ,“Aquarius” escaped and was probably making for Australia. Lloyd’s War Losses state: “About 14 February 1942, ‘Aquarius’ was sunk near the Tjibea Islands, north of Banka, off the south east coast of Sumatra, on board were 60 to 70 persons, of which only 3 survived the loss of the ‘Aquarius’ and these also died subsequently.”

Footnote: Conspiracy theories concerning Lawrence’s death have done the rounds for years and one of the reasons stems from his RAF 1935 discharge papers which gave his address as “Tarporley”, presumably to hoodwink the press.
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