NAAFI and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (ABF) joined forces to serve tea and cake to families in Tidworth on Thursday.

The even was to celebrate 75 years since the NAAFI gave £1.5 million to the charity in 1944.

NAAFI vans old and new served tea and cake to parents and children in Tidworth.

Refreshments were served from an original 1940s van and its modern-day equivalent.

Two classes of school children also learnt about the role of the NAAFI during the Second World War.

The event celebrated the 1944 gift from the NAAFI of £1.5 million to the recently founded Army Benevolent Fund (now ABF The Soldiers’ Charity).

Today, the gift is valued by ONS at over £65 million.

In 1944, the funds enabled the fledgling Army Benevolent Fund to begin its work of providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their families.

According to the first annual report, the fund provided by NAAFI were to “ensure that those men and women who have thus indirectly subscribed to the assets of the (Army Benevolent) Fund shall reap the greater part of the benefits distributable, especially during the immediate post-war years when it is expected that help will be most needed.”

To this day, ABF's central purpose has not changed.

Over its 75 years, it has been here to ensure that all soldiers, veterans and their immediate families can live a life of independence and dignity.

Brigadier Robin Bacon, chief of staff of ABF said: "This grant enabled the charity to support soldiers, veterans and their families in time of need once they returned from the Second World War.

"It has been a pleasure to be at Zouch Academy in Tidworth this afternoon teaching children and parents about this history of The Soldiers’ Charity and the NAAFI."