Joan Warren

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

Illustration by Heather Hookey

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.

Illustration by Heather Hookey

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'.