Dedication

I wish to thank the former Naafi men and women who helped me so generously. There are too many to mention by name but I want them to know that their fascinating letters created the background of this book. They taught me so much, made me laugh a lot and sometimes cry. Many facts gleaned from their memories cannot be found in history books, and I am indebted to them. I hold my hand up to any errors that might have crept in but willingly admit that the best of this story is theirs.

Thanks too to the kindness of the sadly missed Sir Harry Secombe, who read the typescript and wrote a foreword.

My sincere and grateful thanks to you all.