007 Origin: Bond’s ‘M’ Identified As Caravan Club Member

Cumming’s name appears mainly in early members’ lists, but his connection adds an unusual note to the Club’s history. It also gives a glimpse of the type of people involved in the early touring movement, long before caravans and motorhomes became mainstream.

Sara Riccabone, Caravan and Motorhome Club Curator at the National Motor Museum, said the discovery adds “a whole new layer of intrigue” to the early membership records, “It seems even the head of the Secret Service needed a pitch in the New Forest to get away from it all!”

To mark the anniversary, a new showcase called Caravanning in the New Forest has opened at the National Motor Museum. It includes original photo albums put together by Club founder J. Harris Stone, along with artefacts linked to some of the earliest recorded Club meets in the area.

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said, “The anniversary of our collection highlights that from our very earliest days, the Club has been the choice of Britain’s most adventurous and influential figures. These archives are much more than a nostalgic look back; they are a testament to a resilient, forward-thinking community that has consistently been at the forefront of social change. We are incredibly proud to protect this heritage at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, ensuring that the spirit of independence and discovery that defined our founders continues to inspire our members today.”