NAFFI service memories aged 18

I joined the NAFFI as a volunteer in 1943 when I was 18.The NAFFI was short for The Navy, Army, Airforce Institute.

I was based at Lindholme Airbase near Doncaster South Yorkshire, but served in a mobile canteen which we used to take to Sandtoft Aerodrome.Sandtoft didn’t have a canteen when the bombers first came over here. I would be up at 5 a.m. to light the ovens so the cooks could start baking and also to pack the mobile canteen. We made tea in very big urns.

We had our own transport — the mobile canteen and one of the airmen drove it. There would be two other girls as well as myself. It was like the big ice-cream vans you see today. As we opened the side hatch you didn’t need the “jingle” — as they use today to get the children to come.

The airmen would come running — anything to have a break. I can still see the lines of blue uniforms all queuing up. We sold ‘char’ and ‘wads’ — that’s tea and buns; bars of chocolate (without coupons) when we could get it, and cigarettes. Char was tuppence (2d) and a wad was a penny (1d). I think I was paid about 12/6 — twelve shillings and six-pence in old money per week (62 1/2p today).

We wore royal blue military style uniforms with broad head-bands to keep our hair out of the food. Later in the day for supper we sold chips with everything e.g. pies, eggs and sometimes ‘spam fritters’ were the favourite. These were slices of spam — cured ham and pork from tins — fried in batter.

We didn’t have a lot to do with the aircrew, as they had their own mess. We had the ‘erks’ — as they were called. These were the airmen with no rank, but a great bunch of lads. When they departed or were transferred you were sad but had to get on with serving the rest of the men.

I remember the first time we went to Sandtoft, none of us knew where we were going. We turned the corner and went down a very long straight road. I can remember thinking we were never coming to the airfield but soon saw the planes and knew we were there. There was a very good rapport between everyone. Spirits were very high and everyone mucked in with each other. You were very pleased to see all the familiar faces each time you served the char and wads.

We also had beer tents, beer was one shilling (1/-) a pint — (5p today). Even though timers were hard, the men didn’t get out of control. Everyone just got merry and had a good laugh and a sing-song. Some of the songs we sang were:- The White Cliffs of Dover; Run Rabbit Run; Ill be seeing You; When the lights go on All Over the World; Yours; Over There; Up in the Wild Blue Yonder; Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major.

We also had a few people to entertain us at night. One actor I remember at Lindholme was Alistair Simms. He came to do a play which was very entertaining. Various Dance Bands of the day came to lighten up our lives.

After our shift we would wash our clothes and hair in the barracks. We also passed the time by reading or going for a drink or to watch the entertainments. But mainly to sleep as they were long days. We worked a split shift of 5 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and later 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Another shift began 8 a.m. and didn’t finish until 8 p.m.

From our barracks at Lindholm we worked at Santoft for a few weeks until they got established with their own canteen. I had a very narrow escape late one night when goin from the barracks to the cookhouse during an air raid. I was the only one about when a plane came in very low and machine-gun blasted right at me. I could hear the bullets thud on the ground behind me. I very quickly edged into the cookhouse. I was also very careful not to show a light as I opened the door to safety.

One more experience I remember was starting my 7 days leave. The only way i could get home to Doncaster was to go with the mail van. This went to Doncaster at 4.30 a.m. every morning. It carried all the letters from Sandtoft and Lindholme that the airmen wrote to their wives and families. There was no other way to get transport home so I had to ask the airman on duty that morning if I could have a lift. It was pitch black. It was also very eyrie.

After going around the first bend, then approaching the second bend, the driver pulled up very sharply — as we were under the guns of a very large tank! We quickly got out of his way. The convoy of tanks was going across country through the night. I don’t know where too as ‘careless talk costs lives’. That was the slogan on Posters printed in the war. Once in Doncaster I had to walk home to Camden Street in what still seemed like the middle of the night and still very dark.

The NAFFI was well known and there was one in every camp in England and abroad. Where ever the armed forces went so did the girls in the NAFFI. It is still going today. I finished my service at Doncaster Racecourse serving the Italian Prisoners of war or P.O.W.s for short. We entered by a door, which was under the clock of the Grandstand. This can still be seen today.

This story is not of great courage but we were the ones that served and waited for the lads in blue to come back from their mission and to greet them with a good old cup of tea and a smile.

Mrs Pauline Parker (nee Walter)
1 Craven Close
Cantley
Doncaster
DN4 6AR

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