Secrets of Lawrence of Arabia's X-Flights (From Bournemouth Echo)

Secrets of Lawrence of Arabia's X-Flights

7:00pm Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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DRAMATIC details of Lawrence of Arabia’s secret “X-Flights” have been revealed in a diary belonging to the father of a Highcliffe woman.

A journal kept by flight sergeant George Hynes, father of Ellen Gannicott from Highcliffe has been turned into a book written by her cousin, 80-year-old James Hynes.

The book details the secret airborne missions led by T E Lawrence, whose Clouds Hill home near Wareham is now a National Trust property, against the Turks almost 100 years ago.

It also features tales of bombing raids and secret missions during the desert campaigns of the First World War.

But now, years after the death of George Hynes and Lawrence, who died after a motorcycle accident near his Dorset home in 1935, the exploits have been published in the book, Lawrence of Arabia’s Secret Air Force.

Ellen Gannicott, 75, said: “I think my father would have been very pleased about all this.

“It was very unusual for anyone below an officer to keep a journal like this, so this really is quite unique.”

What is even more unusual is that Ellen has never met or spoken to her cousin James who wrote the book – they have only communicated via email.

After swapping some family history, Ellen agreed to send him the typed copies of the journal, scanning each of the 220 pages and sending 10 a day via email.

She also sent him some of the letters sent by Lawrence, which are now at Harvard University.

Ellen added: “He (George) used to speak about his time out there but it wasn’t until I sat down and read the journal that I understood exactly what they went through.

“I’m delighted my father will be remembered for his role alongside Lawrence. It’s a very fitting tribute.”