Scope and Contents Not all contents have been listed, but items include correspondence between Smedley and Sir Edward Youde (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) concerning post-retirement work; letter from W.J. Adams to Smedley, 10 October 1980, on role of wives of heads of missions and necessity for reduced expenses; correspondence with Sir Michael Palliser (CRO, 1975-82), including letter from Smedley expressing surprise at Prime Minister James Callaghan’s remarks on Africa in Washington, 2 June 1978; letter,...

Scope and Contents This file largely contains letters to Smedley, mostly dating from the 1970s. Not all contents have been listed, but items include letters from Sir Thomas Williams MP (President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union), 27 Apr. 1977; from Alan Rudwick (Headmaster of Achimoto School), 29 Sep. 1977; from Alec Douglas-Home, July 1973; from Peter Ratcliffe (British Embassy, Laos), 14 Jan. 1975; from Mr Justice Michael Kerr, regarding family issues and law commission of 1978-81, 31 July 1978; from...

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Appointment diaries for the years 1951, 1953-62, 1966 and 1970-75; and personal diary for 1955 .

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A diary of Le Sueur's experiences in South-East Asia, October 1998-April 1999, 270 pages, including 48 pages of photographs and 4 pages of maps. The areas covered are, in order, Thailand; Laos; Northern Vietnam; South Vietnam; Cambodia; Luzon, Palawan, Central Archipaelago and Mindanao (Philippines); Sabah (Malaysia); Brunei; Sarawak (Malaysia); Western Malaysia; Bangkok.

Scope and Contents This file includes an embassy staff list, March 1968, and an inventory of furnishings for Vientiane Embassy Residence, 1 December 1968. There are a number of reports, some written by Sir Frederick Warner, Smedley’s predecessor, including assessments of the military situation, the economy of Laos, British aid policy, and the prospect for peace, 1968; an annual review and calendar of events for 1969; Smedley’s valedictory despatch summary, 22 April 1970 (daft and printed copies), and a letter...

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This file contains notes about tending to the High Commission residence gardens in Accra, Vientiane [Viangchan] and Colombo. (circa 80 sheets).

Scope and Contents Large scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs and correspondence (much in French) and other material relating to Smedley’s tenure as ambassador, including a copy of his commission; material relating to the opening of a new Laos radio station, sponsored by Britain, August 1968; the wedding of Prince Sri Savang to Rasmi Bovone; a road trip made to Cambodia, Jan 1970; the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s birthdays in Vientiane; and the visit of the Crown Prince and...

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This is an official document describing 109 prominent figures, including members of the Pathet Lao (73 pages).

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120 x 80 mm colour print of Smedley at the airport, presumably at the end of his posting.

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A small file of dinner, invitation and note cards, with information on how to write such notes according to diplomatic etiquette; and invitations and notes for dinner speeches given by Smedley (circa 50 sheets).

Scope and Contents This file contains a large amount of miscellaneous material that Smedley thought might be of practical use to his successor, John Lloyd, Ambassador 1970-73. It begins with a letter from Lloyd thanking Smedley for his good wishes on taking up post in Vientiane, 30 April 1970. Other items include an exercise book listing foodstuffs and prices; handwritten lists of expenses, particularly relating to food, drinks, and functions; correspondence between Smedley and the Diplomatic Service relating...

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Black and white photographs; 22 are 190 x 230 mm in size and five are in smaller formats. They document Smedley presenting his diplomatic credentials in Vientiane to King Savang Vatthana. Most are captioned on the reverse.

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This file contains material relating to Queen’s Birthday functions organised by Smedley (circa 50 sheets).

Scope and Contents From the Series:

Archives relating to Smedley's service as Ambassador to Laos.

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Diaries, official papers, correspondence and photographs

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This file contains menus, seating plans, guest-lists and other material relating to functions attended by Smedley alongside Crown Prince Vong Savang and Princess Manilay of Laos during their visit to the United Kingdom, 5-14 May 1970 (circa 50 sheets).