In August, 1940, there was formed in Egypt a Free French Legion, mainly from units of French Colonial Infantry which had refused to follow Vichy in surrendering to the Nazis.  Here is seen part of the ceremony when standards - Union Jack and Free French Banner were presented a Ismailia.

Standards for the Free French Legion of the Orient

In September, 1940, General de Gaulle proceeded to Dakar with a small force of the Free French.  Certain British naval units stood by.  On the morning of September 23, he sent an envoy ashore in a launch to parley with the French Governor-General.  The party was fired upon and two officers wounded.  Convinced that only by a major bloodshed to his countrymen could Dakar be forced, De Gaulle withdrew.

De Gaulle at Dakar

General Georges Catroux was Governor of Indo-China until superseded on his refusal to carry out the instructions of the Vichy government.  Making his way to London, he joined the Free French army under De Gaulle, who was nominally his junior in rank, and became a member of the Council of Defence.