The Arabian Tea Tray

THE ARABIAN TEA TRAY

Standing in the centre of our lounge is a large brass tea tray. It has Arabic patterns on it and it is about three feet in diameter. I am not sure exactly where it came from but my grandfather was stationed in Malta for some years before the war and I believe it came from there. I remember it being in my grandparents house in Gillingham in the 1940s. My parents used to visit them regularly during the war. I can remember looking out from their front window across the golf course and seeing swarms of the V1 flying bombs, or doodlebugs as we called them, as they raced towards the suburbs of South London and crash down onto the homes below.

On one visit it was decided that we should bring the brass tray home to Radlett. So we said our goodbyes and caught the electric suburban train from Gillingham to London for our connection back. All went well until we came to what I think were the Penge tunnels. As the train went through the first tunnel we slowed to a crawl. As we emerged into the daylight there was a smoky atmosphere and there were ash particles floating by. There were two sailors in the compartment and there were discussions as to what the trouble was. We then entered the second tunnel and it was not long before we came to a stop. We waited and I can remember feeling very frightened. After a while we slowly moved forward through the tunnel. Then there was the daylight slowly appearing and we were once again out in the smoky atmosphere. We looked out of the window to the right and there up in the sky was a doodlebug motoring along with that familiar sound of an engine. Suddenly it stopped. The two sailors grabbed us two children, forced us to the floor and placed the tea tray over us. We waited and then there was an explosion up at the front of the train. The doodlebug had dived to earth and landed on the station near the front of the train. More smoke passed by as we remained stationery, wondering what would happen next. By now we must have crawled out from under the tray but I suppose there was concern about further bombs. I suppose somebody said it was clear and we were told to alight from the train. But we were not in a station and I can remember looking out the open door and seeing the ground far below. I do not know how we got out but the next thing I remember was walking along the track towards the station. Somehow we learned that although the doodlebug had hit the station the only casualty was the driver who had been injured.

Memories of that far back are just scenes and the next thing I recall was my father reporting that there were no buses so we would have to walk the rest of the way. It was a long walk and as we progressed I remember looking down side roads and seeing houses ablaze from bombings. I think at last we must have found transport because the next scene was St Pancras station and waiting for our train to Radlett. By the time we got home I was very tired and we all retired straight to bed. I expect my parents were greatly relieved that we had had such a lucky escape. But for me it was a night of nightmares and of seeing those burning buildings. I am sure I must have woken and given my parents even more grief after their troublesome journey.

As I look at the Arabian tea tray in the lounge I often remember that day and wonder. What happened to the driver of the train? Where exactly did it happen? Who were the two sailors and what happened to them? I will never know the answers. I have revisited Penge and looked along towards the tunnels but it does not look as I remember it. But then it was nearly sixty years ago. Most of all I give thanks to the quick thinking of the sailors for covering us with the tray. Nothing did happen but it was a very near miss and they might have even saved lives if the doodlebug had crashed any nearer.

John Baker

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