NAAFI Fireproof Steel Strong Box (no key), 20th Century

Fireproof steel strong box marked N.A.A.F.I 6805. Handles to either side and top. No key. Probably early to mid 20th Century.

The word NAAFI will be known to british troops of all ages and this strong box was probably used to hold the cash takings from one or more NAAFI shops. Makes me wonder if some of my own hard earned but easily spent cash ever resided in this particular box.

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) is a company created by the British government on 9 December 1920 to run recreational establishments needed by the British Armed Forces, and to sell goods to servicemen and their families. It runs clubs, bars, shops, supermarkets, launderettes, restaurants, cafés and other facilities on most British military bases and also canteens on board Royal Navy ships. In addition to being the name of the Institute, NAAFI is also used as a noun for a type of break, i.e. a "NAAFI break", which is a short break or tea break