Joan Warren
By Roslyn Cook
Meeting John
Joan Warren
At the local swimming baths
I met John in 1932. I was 12 and spent a lot of time at the local swimming baths. There was a first and second class baths. The first class had individual changing cubicles and we were given a lovely rough towel. This cost sixpence. If you went into the second class baths it cost 3d but had no towel or diving boards.
I joined the local swimming club which was active and eventually swam and dived for the club and the school. I was the only one of us who really enjoyed swimming. Pam, my sister, played tennis which I thought was silly, rushing around after a ball in the heat of the summer. I much preferred swimming. Even in the winter, the second class baths were open but the first class had a dance floor over it.
I met John at the baths. One day, when all the boys were taking the girls across the baths on their shoulders, he asked if I would go on his shoulders and I said no. On club nights the first hour was boys and girls swimming together. Then for the second hour, the boys played water polo.
The polo match
My friend Joyce and I bought a Mars bar each and sat up in the gallery, watching the polo match. John was a very fast swimmer and was centre forward for his team. One evening they were playing the police, all very big and tough men, twice John's size, as he was about 16 then.
Suddenly I saw John under the water, not moving, and eventually our shouting attracted attention and they pulled him out on the side, coughing and spluttering. The attendant (always one on duty) rushed up with a drink of water. I did not hear what John said, but a drink of water after being on the bottom of the baths was the last thing he needed.
My first evening dress
When I was about 16 my sister, Molly, made my first evening dress. It was blue satin with very large organdy sleeves. I was so proud of it and wore it to the dance, my first grown-up dance.
When the last dance started I could not find John and his friend Barry danced with me. I got my coat and was waiting for John when Barry came and said John had taken Audrey home and was coming back for me. That did not go down too well and Barry took me home. I cried all the weekend.
After a few days, John arrived. I could say cap in hand, but it was his bicycle. A very happy ending for us. We always came back together.
Night Train to Penzance
Joan Warren
1946: John, my husband, had been home from India for about 3 weeks. A call came from my mother, 'Come at once, Dawn's having her baby'.
Mummy was living in a cottage on a hillside in St Just, Cornwall. John was not happy. I caught the night train to Penzance, found an empty compartment and sat in the corner, by the window. A man came in and sat down quietly.
A drunk and sweaty naval policeman
Later, a drunk and sweaty naval policeman - with a prisoner who was handcuffed came in and sat down. The policeman started brandishing a gun. The other passenger in the carriage asked me if I would like to move. I quickly said yes.
We looked everywhere for another seat but the train was full, so we stood in the corridor. The policeman came down the corridor looking for us, waving his gun and shouting "Come back and sit down".
The other passenger, who was standing with me, reached out and grabbed me protectively while saying to the policeman that he had not seen his 'wife' for 3 years and that we were happier on our own.
Pretend husband
My new pretend husband had to get out at Reading leaving me on my journey to Penzance. Luckily he asked a group of soldiers, who were looking down the corridor of the train at us, to look after me. They made me lie on the seat and covered me with greatcoats until I safely arrived in Penzance.
I got to St Just, only to find Dawn's baby had arrived and all was peaceful. Mummy said, 'Any more babies, do not come home to me'.