King George V's War Museum

A collection displayed at Windsor Castle by George V following the First World War

LEE-ENFIELD

T E Lawrence's Lee-Enfield rifle

1910-16

RCIN 69430

This British short magazine Lee Enfield SMLE 3 rifle was used at Gallipoli where it was captured by the Turks. Enver Pasha of Turkey then presented it to Emir Faisal who presented it to T.E. Lawrence (1888-1935) (Lawrence of Arabia). Lawrence used it for the rest of the war and later presented it to King George V.

During the First World War, British, Indian and Dominion troops participated in campaigns against Germany's ally, Turkey, on the Gallipoli peninsula as well as in Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia. Under T.E. Lawrence's direction guerrilla warfare was used to attack Turkish communications and supply routes


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