It was sent overseas to France in early January 1940 with the rest of 48th Division and, in February, it was exchanged for the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment to the 8th Infantry Brigade, part of 3rd Infantry Division under Major-General Bernard Montgomery before, with the rest of the BEF, being evacuated to Dunkirk. After Dunkirk the battalion was posted away and was not part of a field unit but trained intensively for future combat operations, gaining a high standard of fitness and morale.
It was dispatched to France in early January 1940 along with the rest of the 48th Division, and in February, it exchanged units with the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment to join the 8th Infantry Brigade under Major-General Bernard Montgomery before, with the remainder of the BEF, being evacuated to Dunkirk. Following Dunkirk, the battalion was relocated and trained intensively for future combat missions, achieving a high level of physical fitness and morale.