Since its inception in 1920, NAAFI has supported Britain’s Armed Forces in campaigns all around the world, something we continue to do today in Afghanistan. As an integral part of Force’s life overseas, we also support families of serving personnel in places like Germany, Brunei, Falklands, Gibraltar and Northern Ireland, as well as serving on board Royal Navy Ships through our Naval Canteen Service (NCS).

During WWII NCS staff were very much ‘front line’ combatants, not only carrying out their daily NAAFI duties but also manning their ‘action stations’ as part of the ships’ company. A NCS Canteen Manager was the person you went to see if you wanted a chocolate bar or a refreshing cold drink, but he could also be relied upon to man a machine gun or give First Aid!

Today the circumstances may be different, but the service remains the same, with NAAFI’s NCS staff continuing to offer that ‘taste of home’ to Britain’s Armed Forces at sea – wherever they are in the world.”