This file contains material mostly relating to Smedley’s early career and the diplomatic service. Not all contents have been listed, but items include an official copy of Smedley’s commission, signed by the Queen, appointing him as an officer of the Diplomatic Service, 21 April 1966; letter from Malcolm J. MacDonald, High Commissioner India, (1955-60), asking Smedley to come to Delhi to take up the post of Counsellor in charge of administration and consular affairs, 29 July 1957; copy of Smedley’s acceptance, 31 July 1957; cutting from ‘The Statesman’ 10 August 1959, including black-and-white picture of Smedley visiting school at Chanakyapuri; cutting from ‘The Star’ on Earl of Home’s travels throughout Commonwealth, with mention of Smedley accompanying him, 21 April 1956; note from Home thanking Smedley for his support during the tour, 6 November 1955; note that Smedley has been appointed Principal Private Secretary to Earl of Home, 22 December 1954, 15 April 1955; cuttings from 1962 recording that Smedley has been appointed Head of News Department, CRO; diary notes by Smedley describing his journey to New Zealand in 1948; official letter regarding arrangements for Smedley’s investiture in the Order of St Michael and St George, 26 January 1966; two copies of Smedley’s official statement on leaving Ghana, December 1965; memorandum regarding inception of the Diplomatic Service, 31 December 1964; official notice that Smedley has been appointed High Commissioner to Ghana, 5 November 1963; Smedley’s programme for a provincial tour, 5-17 December 1963, of the UK as High Commissioner Ghana designate; response from Smedley to attempts to reduce costs in the diplomatic service, 3 June 1975; documents relating to the creation of the Diplomatic Service, 1 January 1965; correspondence concerning promotion for Smedley, 1964-66; correspondence concerning the expenses of diplomatic wives when carrying out official engagements, 1976-80; several ‘Diplomatic Service Association’ newsletters,1969, with list of the Diplomatic Service Association Committee; the booklet ‘HM’s Diplomatic Service and Home Civil Service Administrative Class Statistics’; letter from Smedley to I.B. Watt (High Commissioner Sierra Leone, 1972-6) regarding Watt’s valedictory letter and Margaret Thatcher’s views of the political choices open to developing countries, 10 September 1976; letters informing Smedley he has been awarded KCMG, 16 November, 14 December 1977 and regarding his investiture; letters from Smedley to Sir Denis Greenhill (FCO) and Sir Edward Peck (Diplomatic Service Association) offering his comments on the Duncan Report, 5 August, 9 September 1969; and copy of FCO circular, ‘The Structure of the Diplomatic Service’, 6 July 1971 (circa 200 sheets).