A collection of personal items belonging to Lawrence of Arabia left to his landlady’s son while he was a secret lodger have sold for £26,000 at auction.

The unique lot of T E Lawrence items was acquired by Mrs Fanny Hatcher, while he was staying with her to hide away from the public shortly before he died in 1935.

The military hero spent 18 months with the family at their modest terrace home in Southampton and although Fanny eventually became aware of the ‘quiet lodger’s true identity it was kept a secret from her son Donald, 13.

Thomas Edward Lawrence, best known as Lawrence of Arabia, was born at a house in Tremadog in 1888, now known as Ty Lawrence or Snowdon Lodge.

On Friday the unique personal items went under the hammer at Great Western Auctions in Glasgow and sold for £26,660.

Most valuable among the historic artefacts was a Royal Airforce Cap that had a guide price of £10,000-15,000.

The lot also included the two daggers and hand-written and signed letters.

They had been in the possession of the Hatcher family for over 80 years.

Anita Manning, managing director Great Western Auctions, said: “It was a pleasure to bring to market items that had been owned by T E Lawrence, one of the most significant figures in British Military history.

“The five lots had received international attention and after much competitive bidding reached a total of £26,660.”

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