PRI
 

Hello

Does any know the date that the PRI - President of the Regimental Institute was created? and is there a reference anywhere confirming it?

Most of those I have already asked feel it was quite early possibly pre WWI or even Victorian?

I would be interested to hear members views. Thank you.

Rob

President of the Regimental Institute (Fund) - Is was mainly a shop (stores) where items like Regimental ties and other items could be bought from the regimental fund.

The PRI is ultimately a CO responsibility a designated officer will be appointed PRI to sign off daily accounts. Would need to see records to confirm.

PRI came about in 1860 regiments put aside a building with a nominated regimental officer as PRI - prior to the NAAFI it provided a place where soldiers could relax and purchase items - alcohol excluded, with the formation of NAAFI it received a dividend on profits.

Still in existence with some units today and in recent times can be 'privatized' within the overall control of the CO.

PRI
 

Hello Mike

Thank you for your interesting reply.

Some people I'd asked had mentioned a 'Canteen' and a connection with the NAAFI. So, putting it all into context is much appreciated.

I wonder if you have any idea where a written reference might be found?

Regards
Rob

Rob,
Some information here https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk...nstitute-dover
Shows the Regimental Institute building inside Dover Castle built 1868.

Here is a 1944 Hansard reference to non-public regimental institute funds when a unit disbands:

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-h...ntal-institute

Tim

PRI
 

Tim

Thank you for the links.

Regards
Rob

With regard to Dover Castle the building is now The "NAAFI" Restaurant
jerry

On the same theme, but don't know when they started was "Sands" we called them Sandies a Salvation Army run Canteen where you could get Tea Sandwiches and such, had live in staff one I used at Ballykinlar Northern Ireland, another at RAF St Athens Wales, am sure there's more Rippon Barracks comes to mind also?

The RAF had Malcolm Clubs: "Mallies".

There was one such and a PRI [army] and a PX [USA] all at Joint HQ Rheindahlen Germany in the the 1970s up to about 2000.

These in addition to a "Cloggy" and a "Belgie" bar, and a YWCA ["Whydub"] all within easy walking distance of the NAAFI.

Such richness!

PRI
 

Thank you all for your posts.
Regards
Rob

In addition to Sandes there was also 'Red Shield' mobile canteens both Salvation Army as well as 'Toc H' (Talbot House), Methodist Canteens, Church Army/Church House, YMCA, WRVS, Red Cross, Saint Johns and other organisations sprang in WW1 to supplement regimental canteens and continued into the Cold War - The PRI only by then being a Regimental Shop not canteens.