Complex sentence: French was summoned by Sir Charles Douglas (CIGS) and told (30 July) he would command the BEF, and spent much of 2 August in discussions with French Ambassador Paul Cambon.
Split into simpler sentences: French was summoned by Sir Charles Douglas (CIGS) and told (30 July) he would command the BEF. French spent much of 2 August in discussions with French Ambassador Paul Cambon.