On the day De Gaulle appealed to his countrymen to resist the German Occupation the 157th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery finally sailed from France for Gibralter and safety.

18/6/40

0400 Ships Captain received orders to move at day break. Troops roused and as much loading of stores etc. as possible was carried out. There were no gangways and all hand loading had to be carried out up the ship's ladder.

0600 The armed tramp "ALMA DAWSON" left harbour with 53rd HAA Regt. and attached troops aboard. Four Bofors guns were mounted on deck. Two starboard side forward and two port side aft. Fourteen Bren guns were mounted. Four on the Fo'castle, three on the Bridge deck four on boat deckamidships and three on the Poop. The "PEMCREEP" sailed with the "ALMA DAWSON" and kept with her. Our destination was GIBRALTER. We had no escort. Sanitary arrangements on ship practically NIL. We made our own. Captain, Ships Officers and crew extremely helpful and obliging.

AT SEA
0830 Passed BARCELONA. Spanish patrol vessel very interested in us and tracked us across the bay. No incidents.

0900 Journey continued. C.O. and Battery Commanders conference to determine Standing Orders, Emergency Action etc.

2300 News bulletin issued to troops.

A fascinating entry in the Unit Diary describing the final movements of the 157th Battery across France as they head for Marseille and finally evacuation from France. My Great Uncle was a member of the last British Army Unit to be formally evacuated from France in 1940, 3 weeks after the end of the Dunkirk evacuation - I am not sure he ever knew this, but my research confirmed this.

It is also worth noting that the French refused to help with the loading.

17/6/40

0540 Orders received to prepare to move. Five hours notice. Copy of message attached.

0620 Orders sent to gun station commanders.

0745 Orders received for 6 drivers to proceed to MARSEILLES via R.H.Q.

0900 Order received to move immediately leaving stores and ammunition which cannot be transported in vehicles available. Rendezvous MARSEILLES.

1200 Battery Column lead by Battery Commander moved of from main SALON - ST MARTIN road complete with guns, ammunition, stores and personnel as detailed in Commanding Officers V.K.1. of 17/6/40.

1400 C.O.'s order cancelling move received. C.O.'s order cancelling his V.K.6 received. These were received together while en route for MARSEILLES. Column continued on journey.

MARSEILLES

1530 Arrived MARSEILLES. All transport assembled on dock road near 'G' Mole. Accommodation allotted to the Regiment on the "ALMA DAWSON" an iron ore, coal etc. tramp steamer. Decks and holds filthy --- this was the only accommodation available for approx. 600 troops. Small stores, rations etc. hand loaded, ships derricks used for heavy stores below 2 tons. French authorities would not make a heavy crane available consequently, guns and heavy vehicles could not be loaded.

1800 Orders received (verbal from C.O.) to remove breach blocks, sights and fuze setters from guns and abandon the guns. as much food, water, etc. to be taken aboard.

2200 All loading stopped owing to darkness. Personnel placed on decks and in holds to settle for night. It was hoped that a 15 ton crane would be available on the morrow, 18/6/40.

From 10 June 1940 to 12 June 1940 the 157th Battery moved from Nantes to Tour near Entresson (near Marseille) to provide anti aircraft cover for the RAF's Haddock Force. This force consisted of Wellington bombers from 99 and 149 Squadrons sent to southern France to bomb Italy who had declared war on 10 June 1940. The Wellingtons were based at Salon.

This letter from Frank was a standard Field Service Post Card which only provided the briefest infromation.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

I am quite well.

Letter follows at first opportunity.

Frank
Date 13/6/40

This is Frank’s first full letter for 6 weeks (23 April 1940) when he described a tranquil afternoon lunching with some French soldiers near Reims. By 2 June he is in Nantes, the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo) is coming to an end and the Germans are about to swing south through France. Sadly he is unable to describe the previous 6 weeks but it seems incredible that letters and parcels were still getting through to him and that only at this time were parcels no longer accepted for the BEF. He ends on a hopeful note that it will continue being quiet for some time to come. How wrong could he be!

The Unit Diary entry for today was the same as yesterday.

2/6/40

881937 L/Bdr.Faulkner
157th HAA Regt. RA
53rd HAA Battery RA
B.E.F.

Dear Dad,

Many thanks for your letter dated 22nd May which I received on the 31st along with one from Edie post marked "25th".

It was nice to hear from you both though it made me think a lot about home. By now you will have received the letter I wrote several days ago addressed, I think, to Edie. From that you will know that I'm safe and sound and that you need not worry about me.

We are allowed to write letters but naturally we have to be careful what we say. In other words we are practically limited to purely family matters to make up our letters.

So the G.E.C. scheme "went West" after all this long time. However, they are doubtless making their money in other directions nowadays and won't miss a mere £400 order.

After a break of about a fortnight I am doing a turn on guard again. At 4.15am I feel more awake than I did earlier on although I've had no sleep in the meantime. The birds are just waking up now.

The same day I received your letter I got a large parcel from Percy Bedford - sent by the Army and Navy Stores. I shall be dropping him a line shortly but if you are in touch with him perhaps you would mention the fact that it arrived quite o.k.

I'm told that no more parcels or registered letters will be accepted in future for the B.E.F. I can't grumble as I have done very well in the past in that respect. Fortunately we are able to obtain nearly all our requirements such as groceries and tobacco from the E.F.I.

Rogers is on the sick list at the moment - a slight injury to his hand, so I am looking after his pay job until his return.

Speaking of pay; I'm saving quite a bit as there has been no chance to spend money during the past fortnight. If they will accept registered letters on this side I shall be sending some home soon.

I'm pleased to say that I am keeping very fit. Things are quite where we are and I think it will continue thus for some time to come - at least I hope so.

I will endeavour to drop Edie a line in a day or two. I can't face dealing with all outstanding letters of yours and Edie's so if you don't mind I will "file" them and try to keep abreast of correspondence as it comes along. I should be able to do that now.

Fondest love to all at home and xxxxxxx for Anne.

Frank

1/6/40

0800 Three guns in action. P2 = 2. P3 = 1. Consolidation of positions in progress. Enemy air activity NIL.