[Captain G. Skeffington Smyth, Adjutant, The Motor Volunteer Corps.] Typed Letter Signed, a circular requesting that the recipient 'assist the Admiralty [...] by helping to drive the Officers of the French Fleet from London to Maidenhead'.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. An interesting document, from the period immediately following the signing of the Entente Cordiale. The first paragraph (of three) reads: 'The Admiralty having approached the Commanding Officer [John Hay Athole Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh] with a request that The Motor Volunteer Corps would perhaps take a small part in the hospitality to be shewn to the French Fleet, who are about to pay a visit to this country, I am directed to ask you whether you would be inclined to assist the Admiralty in this manner by helping to drive the Officers of the French Fleet from London to Maidenhead on the morning of Sunday, 13th August next. It is to be understood that this request to you, made in the name of the Commanding Officer, is not by any means a binding one nor does it partake of the nature of a duty, whilst no pay or allowances will be given.' The second paragraph gives the Commanding Officer's hope 'that the Members of the Corps will help to outvie the French nation in the hospitality which it has lately accorded to the English Fleet, even at trifling inconvenience to themselves'. In the third paragraph the probable 'route to be taken on the 13th August' is given: 'Leave Grand Hotel, Northumberland Avenue, at 10 to 10-30 a.m. and proceed to Maidenhead via Richmond Park & Windsor Forest. The Officers of the French Fleet will proceed by train to Portsmouth later in the day.'