His division, comprising the 4th, 5th and 6th Infantry Brigades and supporting units, was sent to France soon after war began, where it formed part of Lieutenant General Sir John Dill's I Corps of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The division fought in the Battle of France and the subsequent retreat to Dunkirk where it was withdrawn to England in the Dunkirk evacuation. However, on 16 May 1940, Loyd fainted during a conference and was evacuated to England, with command of the 2nd Division passing to Brigadier Noel Irwin, commander of the 6th Brigade.