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.