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France in June 1940: Staff Sergeant Alan Jones grew increasingly uneasy as no news arrived from the Company base in Rennes. The nearby depot at Bruz was getting emptier each day. Everybody was heading home. German planes were frequent visitors. They saw the plumes of smoke rising from the French arsenal at Redon.

Nobody he talked to knew what was going on. The other units in Bruz had received instructions to carry this or that to the port. But nobody returned so there was no flow of news. A decision had to be made.

Alan Jones could take his truck and investigate. He would need to find someone in authority. This could take much of the day. If he was then told to withdraw, valuable time would be lost returning to pick up his team. He knew it would be an anxious wait for those he left behind, deprived of their leader and their transport.

Leaving his post felt like desertion but this was Alan's decision. They had breakfast then loaded up all their kit. With Alan and his driver Dave Roberts in the front and 6 sappers from Yorkshire in the back they took the road to the West. Their vital tools were crammed into the cramped space for the journey.

The depot at Bruz was silent. The garrison in Rennes had withdrawn and their depot was also deserted.

They did not bother to stop but continued on their way, squeezed in their PU truck, towards the main highway through Brittany. The road remained clear and they made good progress. The jams and checkpoints associated with the evacuation of troops were gone. The withdrawal had been completed 4 days ago.

They paused in Morlaix. Saturday was market day. There was an air of normality. For the French, peace had returned. Alan Jones spent his remaining French Francs. They had adequate provisions so the money went on presents for the art student, girl friend Kathleen, that he had not seen since August. He found a jewellery shop under the giant viaduct that still dominates the town. A deal was quickly done and Alan stuffed an ivory necklace and matching, chunky bracelet into his battle dress.

A straggling truck could easily attract attention from the Gendarmerie. Fortunately, nobody wanted to delay them and they were soon on their way west again oblivious of events elsewhere. Spirits remained high. They were heading home. They had no knowledge of the debacle that had befallen the BEF. When the route became impassable with abandoned vehicles on the outskirts of Brest, they unpacked the truck that had carried them the 100 miles from Rennes.

Loaded with their kitbags, knapsack and weapons Alan Jones slung one of the precious instruments around the neck of each man and set off for the quay. Some 鈥楻edcaps鈥� were still at their post controlling the embarkation of stragglers. They were not about to allow any exceptions to their 鈥渁rms and knapsack only鈥� rule even if there was space. The salvaged tools of their trade, especially the precious equipment used to test electrical installations before any power is switched on, were condemned.

They protested but to no avail. Their assembled tools and meters were thrown into the harbour. Once this sacrifice was complete they were then directed towards 2 boats where small groups from all 3 services were waiting to be taken home.

The Navy had been unsuccessful in their attempt to persuade 2 skippers, recently arrived from the Dunkirk evacuation, that they should load up and set sail immediately. They could not be ordered or cajoled into departing with some stragglers. After 3 almost sleepless weeks the boat crews refused to move. It was after all, Saturday night and they were in France. The exhausted sailors headed for town for some recreation.

They were finally taken out of France in the few dark hours on the night of Saturday 22 June on a small coastal trader SS The Lady of Mann and had an uneventful crossing to Plymouth. For the men on the deck it was an anxious time. There was no sign of any Naval escort. They were alone. Everybody was aware of the U-boat threat. U49 had surfaced in view of the harbour to demonstrate the reality of this threat.

The full moon illuminated them through the channel while their wake glistened in the moonlight pointing any potential attacker towards them but the light of dawn showed the receding Brittany coast. They slipped into the dock at Plymouth but had to wait aboard their escape-vessel while a earlier arrival was slowly unloaded. This ship was receiving priority treatment because it was carrying some of the last wounded survivors rescued from the Lancastria sunk by German bombers on the 17th. This brought home their good fortune in making a safe escape. They were impatient to get ashore but willing to wait. They were home.

This story was submitted to the people鈥檚 War site by a volunteer from CSV Oxford on behalf of Alan Jones and has been added to the site with his permission. Alan Jones understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

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