Themes

The Navy's People

• Naval Lives

• In Focus: Women in the Navy

• In Focus: Recreation and Time off

  • Personal Time

  • Living Conditions

  • Sports

  • Crossing the Line across the century

  • Parties onboard

  • NAAFI

• In Focus: Discipline and Punishment

Learning

• How To: Understand Naval Medals

NAAFI

Article highlights

• What is the NAAFI?

• The early years

• World War Two

• Post war years

Post war years

Immediately after the War the NAAFI assisted with the repatriation of prisoners of war (POWs), many of whom were NAAFI employees.

British forces were still involved in troubled spots like Palestine and the Far East. The Navy maintained at least one aircraft carrier and escort ships off the coast of Korea in the 1950s.

These years saw NAAFI organisation making substantial improvements to its equipment, facilities, and uniforms for all personnel. Vending machines began to be more widely used, even on frigates and destroyers.

NAAFI Mobile canteen, providing refreshment for helicopter crews (RNM)

Sometimes the logistics could be daunting for the NAAFI personnel. When HMS Eagle, the 50 000-ton aircraft carrier, was berthed in Singapore. The ship needed to be restocked in 36 hours with goods brought from a warehouse 19 miles away, filling 40 000 cases.

In the 1960s the NAAFI implemented major modernisations including the introduction of NAAFI supermarkets. In these new supermarkets service personnel could buy almost anything, including cars.

NAAFI has been present at major events like the fleet reviews and had a canteen on the Royal Yacht Britannia. It continues as an integral part of the modern Navy - their members also serving in the Falklands and Gulf Wars.

NAAFI shop and manager onboard HMS Edinburgh (RN FPU)