The Unit Diary entry for 2 July 1940 sets out the timings of the departure from Gibralter on board the SS City of Cairo.

2/7/40    0800  Preparation for move to U.K. Copy of Embarkation

                        orders attached

              1200  All stores, kits etc. despatched from Europa

                       Barracks Gibralter

              1300  Main body left Europa Barracks.

              1400  Main body arrived Main Quay Gibralter.

              1630  Main body embarked "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO".

              1715  "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO" sailed for U.K. with 120

                    refugees and approx. 650 Officers, W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s

                    and men the majority (450) being members of the 53rd

                    HAA Regt. Convoy of 28 ships. Escort two destroyers

                    - Wishart (?) - Viscount.

The embarkation order is set out below.  Intriguingly, from the list of those on board the SS City of Cairo are the details of one soldier from the French soldier,a Pierre Auguste Lafon.  I wonder what happened to him?

EMBARKATION ORDERS 53rd A.A.

REGIMENT R.A.

URGENT & SECRET

53rd A.A. Regiment strength:

13 Officers

5 Warrant Officers

432 Other Ranks

The Vessel will be berthed at Main Wharf H.M Dockyard.

A guide will meet the Unit at the Dockyard Gate to conduct it to the forming up place.

O/C Troops Lt. Col. V.R.Krohn M.C.

Also on board:

                   

 1 member Royal Signals

 5 Soldiers attached to 4th Bn. Devonshire Regiment

 Pierre Auguste Lafon French Army

---------------------

Ref. S/GIB/1

Accomodation aft is allocated to 157 Battery & RHQ Staff

Remainder of Regiment will parade at Zero hour minus 1¼ hrs on the parade ground at Europa Barracks under O/C 159 Battery, who will march the Party to Main Wharf leaving at Zero minus 1 hour.

Fed on board by two field kitchens - 1 forward & 1 aft. Supplemented by one petrol cooker each.

Parades 

(a) 1030 hrs daily Inspection by O/C troops

(b) Lectures, P.T., rifle Drill, Bren gun Drill and Instruction, knotting and lashing etc.

Also on board RAF personnel of 212 Sqdn.