This organisation was originally established through the efforts of the Canteen Mess Co-operative Society and Richard Dickeson and Company in February 1915, but was taken over by the Army Council and became part of the Army Service Corps on 7 July 1915. It was set up to be a non-profit making enterprise to supply British and Commonwealth troops with what was described as “small comforts and articles”: generally refreshments (excluding alcohol), paper and pencils, postcards and the sorts of personal supplies not normally provided by the army.
Men of the ASC who were assigned to the EFC had a letter “A” prefix to their number.
The establishment grew to a large scale, operating at home and in every theatre of war. It is known to have operated at 577 locations in France alone and to have employed more than 5000 men of the Army Service Corps. Its outlets were generally small locations situated at railway stations, major hospital sites and in suitable locations in the towns and villages within the rear of the battle areas.
Men for the EFC were paid an attractive rate of 30 shillings per week (which compares favourably with the infantry private at just under 10). They did not however qualify for the separation allowance paid to the wife or dependent of a soldier, although they could choose to allocate some of their pay for this purpose. In general, the EFC was manned by troops of low medical garde and especially those with a background in the retailing, grocery and catering trades.
The EFC section had depots at Bermondsey in south London, Gloucester and Newhaven.
The men who managed and worked in the canteens wore the standard uniform of the Army Service Corps, with a brass “EFC” shoulder title.
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