大象传媒

This story has been added to the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Kate Langdon on behalf of Rhoda Armsby. They understand the terms and conditions of the site.

In 1941 I secured a position as stewardess on the trains. My parents were publicans in Penzance and in the bar I met members of the dining car staff who were kind enough to recommend me. Most of the female staff had worked in Lyons Teashops in London so they were well trained.

The work was hard but very enjoyable. We served all food with Silver Service, two sittings of lunch on the "Cornish Riviera" and later we served teas. I remember we served soup, fish pie or stewed meats, mashed potatoes, peas and I assume other vegetables as available. I cannot remember the sweets, but I have a vague memory of thick custard.

The tables were covered by white tablecloths, starched and immaculate. If anyone opened windows, as the trains were steam driven, the smuts would rest on the cloths. Between sittings we were very busy with napkins to ensure tables were kept spotless.

The teas consisted of teacakes, toasted I think, and if required chocolate biscuits were served separately. I assume they were an extra charge. Drinks were of course served and also we could serve alcohol. It was also part of our job to go through the train to announce either lunch (first or second sittings) were about to be served.

The carriages had compartments with sliding doors and long corridors. As the trains were almost always full, getting between people standing in the corridors was difficult. I remember the windows had long rails which we managed to cling to when the train rocked. The door windows had long leather straps, to pull the glass up, with several holes to determine the opening.

Many interesting people travelled. I can remember a few, ie Jessie Matthews, Sunny Hale, Robert Newton (lovely man) an able seaman in the navy, but a really well known star. Lord Nuffield, another very nice person. The final one I remember was King Peter of Yugoslavia - very good looking I thought.

There was another train I worked on, we used to say it was a prison ship because it stopped at so many stations, which seemed so slow after the express. Although there was a war on and many travellers, the guards were very hot on keeping the trains on time.

I worked on the trains until the male stewards arranged to go on strike unless the women were taken off. They thought the female staff would take their positions after the war was over, so unhappily we were taken off.

After this I volunteered for the WRNS - as unemployed we were required to do National Service. I lost my father in 1941. He was a retired Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, recalled to service in 1939, so it had to be the navy for me.

In civilian life I was a bookeeper, lived in a pub and had served as a stewardess on the trains, so I became a 'specialised wine steward'. I served in Scotland and later at the Greenwich Royal Naval College. Life was so interesting but as it was another chapter I'll try and restrict it to a couple of points.

I opened a bar in the Royal Maritime Museum, just opposite the college in Greenwich. Unlike our Falmouth Museum it was full of naval history. It always annoys me that Falmouth does not cover the Royal Navy, although they had a famous HMS Falmouth and HMS Cornwall. My father served on both and the Falmouth was in the First World War and sunk by a German battleship. Quite a famous episode.

I was lucky enough to meet Bob Hope in Scotland when he came over from the USA to entertain the troops. I was offered his autograph but unfortunately the only paper I had on me was my pay book and it had to be given back when I was demobbed - so I lost it.

Later when I was stationed in London we endured bombs, doodlebugs and rockets which doesn't seem possible now, but then we took it in our stride.

I can remember one thing that happened in an ante-room off the Painted Hall in Greenwich College. We were waiting to serve a meal and my feet ached, I saw a very inviting table so I hopped up, only to be removed very quickly. I was informed it was the table Nelson was laid out on.

One other interesting point: I went to the Stage Door Canteen in London, a well known place for the services to relax in. They could dance, eat and be entertained there. One time I remember seeing Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on the stage. Wonderful people who never forgot their servicemen and women overseas.

I married a member of Air Crew in the RAF in 1943, but unfortunately he was killed in 1944 which made me a war widow like my mother. What a waste. I left the WRNS in November 1945 and after a brief stay in London returned to Cornwall - as do most Cornish folk. At 85 years old this is where I intend to stay.

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