recipe for goffer?

[stuart]

Not sure where to post this, hope it's appropriate. My father is an ex WW2 navy man. Right now he's in a hospice in the final stages of a terminal illness, and he just said he's "dying for some goffer". I doubt if anyone can help (it's got to be real goffer), but just in case..... Thanks.

 

[Skunkmiester]

Not sure what it was in your Dads day but a goffer is nowadays used as a term for soft drinks in a can, Coke, Fanta etc.

Perhaps in his day it was a term for Pussers Limers or Screech.

 

[Jenny_Dabber]

Or maybe he knows where the spare key to the 'beer fridge' is??

And a wet is tea, coffee etc.

 

[whitemouse]

Just spoke to the old man, he says that 'goffa' was a term he knew in WW2 for a softie, but that it was also a term for a largish wave hitting the ship.
I also knew it as a term for being punched by someone ie "being goffa'd"

 

[Seacat]

Not sure where to post this, hope it's appropriate. My father is an ex WW2 navy man. Right now he's in a hospice in the final stages of a terminal illness, and he just said he's "dying for some goffer". I doubt if anyone can help (it's got to be real goffer), but just in case..... Thanks.

Hi Stuart,

I am sorry to read about your dad. Try the following contacts below:-

1) The Imperial War Museum Department of Books

2) Royal Naval Museum Research Service

The RNM service normally takes 4 weeks but I suggest ringing them up and explaining the circumstances and I am sure they will prioritise your query. If you still have no luck PM me & I will try to find out for you.

Best of luck,

Steve.

 

[Shakey]

Lime cordial might be the best bet.

 

[CheefTiff]

Lime cordial might be the best bet.

I'm with Shakey on this mate. In my day, goffa as served in a hot steamy engine room consisted of pussers lime powder, cold water and lashings of ice. It had to be strong and very very cold.

Oh and incidentally, it was a great laxative too

 

[Maxi_77]

In my youth a goffa was a glass of, normally orange, squash dispensed in return for 2 old pence from the canteen by the NAFFI damager. I think the normal brand was Kiora then.


Best wishes for you Dad, I know these are hard times, my mother died of cancer earlier this year.

Peter

 

[Jenny_Dabber]

Just spoke to the old man, he says that 'goffa' was a term he knew in WW2 for a softie, but that it was also a term for a largish wave hitting the ship.
I also knew it as a term for being punched by someone ie "being goffa'd"

Me being stupid could have put brain into gear and told you that before lol However, I didn't think he'd be asking for a large wave to hit him for some reason :wink:

 

[whitemouse]

True, but it was only an extra bit of info that 'goffa/goffer' had different meanings - I did forget that a goffa was also someone who knocked little white balls around the countryside and sandholes too :lol:

But lets hope this chap got what he was asking for.

 

[stuart]

Lime cordial might be the best bet.

I'm with Shakey on this mate. In my day, goffa as served in a hot steamy engine room consisted of pussers lime powder, cold water and lashings of ice. It had to be strong and very very cold.

Oh and incidentally, it was a great laxative too

Thanks a lot for the advice, guys. For the moment we're looking at Shakey and Cheeftiff's idea (my dad was in the engine room of HMS Tintagel Castle). We've tracked down a store selling Pusser's stuff. If they don't stock the lime powder, we might just go for the rum!
Stuart

 

[Engines]

Lime cordial might be the best bet.

I'm with Shakey on this mate. In my day, goffa as served in a hot steamy engine room consisted of pussers lime powder, cold water and lashings of ice. It had to be strong and very very cold.

Oh and incidentally, it was a great laxative too

Thanks a lot for the advice, guys. For the moment we're looking at Shakey and Cheeftiff's idea (my dad was in the engine room of HMS Tintagel Castle). We've tracked down a store selling Pusser's stuff. If they don't stock the lime powder, we might just go for the rum!
Stuart

I've only been out a dogwatch & that's the stuff. I wonder if the lads still mix it, put it in a 5 gallon barrell & have it on tap. Wonderfull for cleaning the Engine room plates. Wonderfull for cleaning you out.
Father famine used to issue it 'free' above a certain outside temperature, otherwise he had to pay for it himself, like Jack Dusty's pay for all stores of course.

 

[andym]

Its still available in Ration packs,try an Army Surplus store,youre after Lemon drink Crystals.

 

[higthepig]

The Goffa bar on Eagle 57 was at the naafi it was like a soda fountain machine,Limers if i recollect was only served in Tropical Climates,in great big vats and blocks of ice.Dont recollect getting Limers in Home Waters.

 

[dondon]

Stuart , definately go for the limers

 

[bampah]

Stuart, don't give him Lime cordial, it's definitely not what he fancies. (Unless he had it in the wardroom with his gin!)
"Limers" was actually lemon crystals (like old-fashioned sherbert) mixed with water and ice, not a trace of lime in it.
A goffa was usually orange squash. but it was the generic term for any other soft drink too.
Good luck.