Fragment of NAAFI crockery.
Fragment of NAAFI crockery stamped with the NAAFI crest, found at 10 Crossapol.
2001.185.1
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Tag Archives: naafis
1999.305.2
NAAFI badge.
1999.109.1
Hough NAAFI in March 1943
Photograph of Hough NAAFI in March 1943.
Courtesy of Mr Willie Dickie
There were two NAAFIs (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) on Tiree during World War II: one at Crossapol and the other at Hough, confusingly referred to as Kilkenneth NAAFI by the RAF. Their purpose was to provide retail services and run recreational establishments for the Armed Forces.
Open all day for tea, snacks, beer and cigarettes, the NAAFIs were the hub of many people’s social life. There was a billiard room and a library of sorts. Servicemen and those in the Merchant Navy were admitted but civilians were often allowed in too.
Hut K2, ‘the booze shop’, at Hough was a popular meeting point for locals and servicemen. After monopolising the beer bar on Sunday lunch times, the local Home Guard was finally banned, as were the Italian POWs.
Black and white photograph of Hough NAAFI in March 1943.
Hough NAAFI in March 1943. L-R: (front) Annie Ross, Pat (surname unknown), Miss Sommerville, Edith Martin, (back) unknown, Jessie MacKillop of Bunessan, unknown, Effie Dickie nee MacKinnon of Caoles, cook (name unknown), unknown, Lottie MacDonald, Cathie MacLean of Heylipol, unknown, Kitty MacKinnon of Salen in Mull, Mary Flora MacDonald, manager Gordon Christie, Eliza MacLean, unknown.
1999.109.6
Crossapol NAAFI during World War II
Photograph of Crossapol NAAFI during World War II.
Courtesy of Mr Willie Dickie
Created in 1921, the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) provide retail and leisure services to the British Armed Forces and their families. There were two on Tiree during World War II situated at Crossapol and Hough.
Occasionally in the winter, the clientele would have ‘a bit of session in the NAAFI’, sitting round the stove and plunging red-hot pokers into pints of beer. Pianos apparently didn’t last long. One eyewitness saw a tray loaded with plates of mince and potatoes emptied into the top of the piano. The plates were retrieved but the contents were not.
The RAF Embarkation Unit at Scarinish created their own pub in a Nissen hut which they called the Pier Arms. It had a proper bar, a few tables and chairs and was cosy and warm although the beer was reported to be no better.
Black and white photograph of Crossapol NAAFI during World War II.
Crossapol NAAFI during World War II. L-R: (back) Neil MacDonald, Kenovay (Niall Dubh); (middle) unknown; unknown; Eliza MacLean, Balephetrish; Marion MacDonald, Kenovay; Cathie MacKinnon, Kilmoluaig; Sheena MacKinnon, Cornaigbeg; Chrissie Shaw, Skye; unknown; Effie Dickie nee MacKinnon, Caoles; unknown; unknown; Chrissie Murray, Lewis; unknown; (front) unknown store manager; Isobel Johnston nee MacDonald, Milton; unknown cook, Barra; unknown cook, Lewis; unknown manageress (married to Lochmaddy piermaster); cook Dolly MacLean nee MacCallum, Hough; cook Cathie MacLean, Heylipol; cook Betty Campbell, Skye; van driver Adam; Effie MacDonald, Kinlochleven.