We had a guy whos surname was Doe so was naturally called Dill
We also had another nicknamed Paxo as he was always stuffing birds.

nicknames
 

We had an apprentice Framie called 'Aero' because his head was full of bubbles and an older bald headed tin basher we called 'Mudguard' because he was shiny on top and ****ty underneath.

First Gurka corporal pilot in AAC Who's real name was Tlm Bahada Gurung was known as Douglas.

It turned out that one of the guys on our BFTS course was slightly dyslexic... his nickname immediately changed to "Bat Floke" :ok:

Hello mate if you're reading this!

Nicknames
 

RAF Rad Tech at RAAF Edinburgh was known as "Crayfish". All meat in the A*se and Sh*t in the head. and there was the EngO who wore white gloves and was known as "Beppo", not because of the gloves but because some thought him a clown. "Wingnut" was a favourite for those with big ears.

A selection from sqns various at LBH early 80s to 90s:

Gimlet - little boring tool
Jellyhead - Never knew what was wobbling about in there
The Vicar - very misleading moniker (allegedly)
The Major - could have played a leading part in a WWII movie, correct bearing, moustache and clicky-heel brogues
Biffo - the bumbling bear
Jenny - surname Taylor
Muttley - everyone knows who that is (aka "grande baleine écossais" in some parts)
Cannon - beacause he looked like a TV fictional detective of the same name
Podge - same bloke, "purveyor of duff gen"
Elvis - exceptional nav who turned up late for an early sqn mass brief (the late great, geddit?)
Sue Fartless/Useless Fart - anagrams of his real name

Mister B

Not military but I used to work with a bloke known as "Stocking Tops".

The nearest to a c*** in the depot.

One of my lads was called Gherkin, why I enquired "whats the most useless thing in a beefbuger?" came the response - fair cop!

Surname Kerr, nickname Wang.

Surname Dewhirst, nickname DeWorst, as in de worst f***ing soldier in de whole f***ing army.

Draino - clean round the bend.

Ted. Full name Shy Ted.

A theme developing over these, but....

There was a young JN on the most junior GR1 sqn who had picked up the nickname "Lizard" whilst going through Nav trg. Not sure why....

Anyway, during his convex training, at the end of a debrief he said he didn't want to be known as Lizard anymore.....end result....you guessed it....

And a good friend of mine whose name was Cy, pronounced Si as in short for Simon. A dull air trafficker saw his name and insisted on calling him C Y as in each letter pronounced, even though he was told how it should be pronounced!

There are of course, the endless list of name badges mostly worn at airshows, some of which have already been mentioned.

Clarification Req'd....
 

I can understand the reasoning bethind the likes of 'Chalky' White and 'Dickie' Bird etc....

But anyone any insight as to why Clarks are known as 'Nobby'?

MTIA

DD

Bay City Rollers?

Why Nobby Clark?

Still at LBH - same time frame as before:

Two Sheds - same name as the character in the Monty Python sketch
Crusty - surname was a particular sort of bread loaf
Ferret - he looked like one
Stumpy - partly alliterative with his surname, and allegedly because of an anatomical attribute
Bilbo Baggins - take a bit of first name, bit of last, the rest follows

Mister B

Then there was the WRAF at Finningley who we used to call 'Fanny' to her face but something far more crude behind her back.

Mr and Mrs Taylor really ought not to have called her Jenny.

Another Flt Cdr known as "Thrombo" which was short for thrombosis - a slow moving clot.

lj101 - surely you're not a closet Bay City Rollers fan....:oh:

Dan, that nickname came with him from his stint in the South Atlantic. Where his appearance in a flying suit earned him the nickname 'AWF'. He thought it stood for 'All Weather Fighter'.......


.......whereas actually it stood for 'Avocado With Feet'.

The late Brian W******ley, who was of slightly dark, South European appearance, earned himself the nickname 'Shlib' from his BFTS colleagues - 'Snake Hipped Little Italian B@stard'. Which was a bit harsh. But he had a name badge with 'Wxley' on it.

Some visiting Air Wheel spotted this. "Ah, young man. Where are you from? Is that a Maltese name? How is it pronounced?".

"Err, no Sir. I'm British. It stands for Weatherley!".

Poor chap was later fatally injured after punching out of a bona jet which fell off its perch during an air display at Chievres in 1986.

names
 

Likewise local purchase WAAF at Finningley early 80's named "Martini" anytime, anywhere, anyhow, am sure she will be remembered .

In 1973 there was a WRAF with the nickname "Blue Band" - because it "spread more easily"...

Unfortunate young stude on BFTS was slight, pale with a healthy sprinkling of pustular acne.

Sported the name 'ZIT' on his growbag.

Pity all the other ranks who has to salute him with a straight face . . . :O