British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > Common Forums > It's a Mystery -Unknown Insignia for Identification

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27-07-21, 04:59 PM
Padre's Avatar
Padre Padre is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 381
Default EFI Shoulder Title?

Can anyone identify what the 'EFI' letters stand for on this title?

Thank you.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 4a99347a-4d94-4b56-9fdd-ad6e011d9986.jpg (62.3 KB, 26 views)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27-07-21, 05:09 PM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,032
Default

Expeditionary Forces Institute.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27-07-21, 05:13 PM
Padre's Avatar
Padre Padre is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 381
Default

Thank you Leigh. The only thing that sprang to mind was Expeditionary Force Infantry, and I knew it couldn't be that!

Much appreciated!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-08-21, 07:09 AM
Alpha58 Alpha58 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 9
Default

As Leigh says - Expeditionary Forces Institute. Don't know if it still exists but the NAAFI wasn't allowed to send civilian staff into combat zones so they drafted them into the TA and put them in RASC/RAOC/RLC/AJC uniform to sell their tea and buns.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-08-21, 10:58 PM
Hoot Hoot is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,687
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha58 View Post
As Leigh says - Expeditionary Forces Institute. Don't know if it still exists but the NAAFI wasn't allowed to send civilian staff into combat zones so they drafted them into the TA and put them in RASC/RAOC/RLC/AJC uniform to sell their tea and buns.
If I remember correctly the CWGC lists 146 NAAFI personnel who sacrificed their lives in WW2, mostly members of the Naval Canteen Service who went down with the ships they were serving on. I think the "To sell their tea and buns" remark is a bit of an insult to them under the circumstances.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-08-21, 06:40 AM
Royal Royal is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 324
Default

The EFI at Shaiba Log Base took a direct hit from an Iranian 122mm rocket in early 2005 - fortunately no casualties as it was closed for the night by then - but I'd echo that sentiment.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-08-21, 11:30 AM
Postwarden's Avatar
Postwarden Postwarden is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 3,224
Default

To mark NAAFI's Centenary at the beginning of the year The Military Heraldry Society published a 32-page special issue of The Formation Sign, the front page of which is shown.

With over 200 illustrations it tells NAAFI's story from its origins in the Expeditionary Force Canteens and Navy & Army Canteen Board to the present day. A large number of badges for NAAFI and the EFI are illustrated, along with photographs and ephemera.

I can supply PDF copies for £10. If interested please PM me.

Jon
Attached Images
File Type: jpg FS 281 Jan 2021 NAAFI.jpg (85.6 KB, 35 views)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-08-21, 02:21 PM
Home Guard's Avatar
Home Guard Home Guard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,741
Default

I have a copy of this journal and I think it is just excellent! Not my primary focus, but do enjoy collecting them when I can pick something up. So, this journal has been extremely helpful.

Terry
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28-12-21, 10:30 PM
NAAFI BL&S NAAFI BL&S is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 10
Default

552 were Killed in WW2 and many more after. The biggest loss of life was on the lancastria when NCS and EFI personnel were killed

EFI Uniformed were serving members and fully signed up as Reserves but full time.

You can read the rest in the book
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 29-12-21, 03:30 PM
Mike_2817's Avatar
Mike_2817 Mike_2817 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha58 View Post
As Leigh says - Expeditionary Forces Institute. Don't know if it still exists but the NAAFI wasn't allowed to send civilian staff into combat zones so they drafted them into the TA and put them in RASC/RAOC/RLC/AJC uniform to sell their tea and buns.
Yes, EFI still exists as part of the RLC as 148 (EFI) Sqn RLC (Reserve) based at Grantham (never as part of the AGC)

and onboard HM Ships through the Naval Canteen Service (NCS) based at Portsmouth

Overseas and in Germany NAAFI still provides the supply of all catering, retail and leisure services.

In the UK all services are now put out to contract by the MoD but RLC/EFI supply mobile canteens on major exercises.
__________________
Sua Tela Tonanti

Wanted Poppy Pins
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 02:03 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.