This picture was taken before they went to France in June 1940, “Foray to France.” It is the last picture taken of these drums as they were lost in France when returning to the UK.

Foray to France

The exception to endless training came early, on 13 June 1940. Germany had invaded Holland and Belgium on 10 May, the day that Winston Churchill was asked to form a government, one he made a national coalition and just five days later M. Reynaud, Premier of France, told him “We are defeated”. Then from 26 May to 4 June the world watched as 338,000 British and Allied troops were evacuated from Dunkerque. Now, with the French army reeling, Prime Minister Churchill was desperate for a political symbol that might stem the tide of their collapse. There were but two equipped divisions left in Britain, the 52nd Lowland and the 1st Canadian. He sent them both. Ultimately, only the 1st Brigade went deep into France. The 48th, landing in Brest, made the deepest penetration of all, reaching Sable-sur-Sarthe almost 300 kilometres inland. There they were ordered back. Commandeering their train, and with Platoon Sergeant Major Jack Laurier at the controls, Corporal Munier assisting and Captain Bill Darling mounting his Bren gun on the tender, they reached St. Malo on the 16th, boarded one of two ships left in harbour and sailed to Southhampton to resume training.

(Prior accession No. P0924)