RIFLE WITH A STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20255, 26 July 1937, Page 9

RIFLE WITH A STORY.

LAWRENCE'S GIFT TO GEORGE V. A NOTE BY THE DONOR. A curious story attaches to a rifle given by T. E. Lawrence lo King George V., which has been placed on loan in the Imperial War Museum and Is on exhibition there. The story is written in- Lawrence’s hand on a half sheet of notepaper, which is enclosed in an envelope endorsed by the ialc King George: 44 History of British rifle captured by the Turks, given me by Colonel Lawrence.” Lawrence’s note runs as follows: 44 A short Lee Enfield rifle was captured by the Turks in Gallipoli and sent to Constantinople as a trophy. The Turkish Government had it engraved near the lock in gold in Turkish, ‘ Booty captured in the fighting at Channk Kale.' Enver Pasha then presented it to Emir Feisal (then a Turkish subject and the guest of Jemal PasHa in Damascus). It, is inscribed in Turkish near the bayonet clip. 4 Presented by Enver Pasha to Sheri f Feisal.’ “ Feisal sent the rifle to Mecca. The Arabs then joined the British, and Feisal found that the ammunition supplied him fitted Enver’s rifle, so lie carried it with him from June, 1916, to December, 1910, when he gave the rifle to Colonel Lawrence near Medina. Colonel Lawrence carried the rifle till October, 1918, when Damascus was captured.” Lawrence’s initials are also carved upon the weapon.