Large* Woven ‘NAAFI’ (Navy, Army and Air Force Institute) Ceremonial Table Linen. 16262. Large* Woven ‘NAAFI’ (Navy, Army and Air Force Institute) Ceremonial Table Linen. 16262. Antique & Militaria

The British Government established NAAFI on 9th December 1920 by combining the Expeditionary Force Canteens (EFC) and the Navy and Army Canteen Board (NACB) to run the recreational establishments needed by the Armed Forces, and to sell goods to servicemen and their families. NAAFI expanded its operation over the next 17 years, supporting military bases and deployments across the world, from Bermuda and Jamaica, to Singapore and China. At the outbreak of WWII NAAFI grew exponentially to support the troops on active service, with the number of employees rising from 8,000 to a peak of 110,000 and the number of trading outlets growing from 1,350 to almost 10,000. Tragically, 550 NAAFI employees lost their lives supporting the war effort overseas. NAAFI rescaled its operations, closing canteens at a rate of 200 per week and reducing the number of employees to 65,000 by 1947. From the 1950s to the 1980s NAAFI expanded its offer to include hotels and holiday camps for military families. This large quality woven NAAFI ceremonial table cloth/linen measures 54” x 84” and weighing over a kilogram with the NAAFI emblem in the centre and surrounded by a floral design would have been used for social and ceremonial occasions. In sky blue and white made with a mixture of heavy and light cottons, this piece would adorn any memorabilia/reenactors collection. The price includes UK delivery. 16262.