The NAAFI Girls

By Rhoda Harris

Well, I was called up and they asked me if I would go into the NAAFI, they needed NAAFI girls.

And I just loved it.

You know and the troops would come and we would serve them with their tea, their meals. That’s all I did, serve them, in the canteen, you know. It was hard work but I loved it.

I’m used to working in the kitchens you see, and I really loved it. We cooked all sorts, you know. Soups and everything. I can’t remember what…..I remember mashing potatoes, peas and vegetables.

I was called up and they asked me instead of going into the forces, would I go in to the NAAFI because they needed NAAFI girls. And I said, “yes, I’ll do that.”. So that’s how I landed off in the NAAFI.

I wasn’t far away, you know. I think it was Durham way, I can’t remember.

I couldn’t go into the forces because they were full. And they asked me if I would join the NAAFI and I said, “yes.” Because I rather fancied it as well.

I had a lovely time though, I loved it.

And then of course, I met my sister. We had a great big queue and people coming, and I heard this voice, “You want to get behind that one there!” And the Sergeant Major said “Take no notice.” And I said, “it’s alright, that’s my sister. She’s just saying it!”

I was very happy working there.

I had quite a few friends. You picked friends when you were in the NAAFI. There was a lot of NAAFI girls. But I’ve not seen any since we left.

We wore Khaki uniform. I’m saying it was khaki, it was something like that, that we wore in the NAAFI you know. 

But I loved it, I really loved it.

I felt as if I was doing something, you know. And serving all the troops you know. Mind you, we got a few funny ones, and the Sargent Major said, “Well Rhoda, you can stick up for yourself.” Somebody was going to report some of the lads, he was quite nasty. And he said, “Just leave Rhoda, she’s a fettle one.”

We worked hard in the NAAFI you know, because we used have long queues, and put up with some insults, put up with some lovely people, but I loved it in the NAAFI.