WHEN my father was a Royal Marine, from 1917 to 1945, he was given the nickname ‘Knocker’ which was derived from ‘knocker white’, a miller’s assistant. His day normally ended with him being white from head to toe, covered in flour — hence the nickname.

Why is Ward called sharkey?

Sharkey Ward is reputed to have been one of the nicknames of a 16th century English Barbary corsair called John or Jack, or Birdy, Ward aka Yusuf Rais, upon whom Jack Sparrow is reputed to have been based.

Why do they call the Navy the Andrew?

Some say, including the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, the nickname ‘Andrew’ derives from a man called Andrew Miller, a zealous officer of the Impress Service (a Royal Navy recruitment service) during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. …

Why are Wilsons called Tug?

Nicknames. Wilson’s nickname of ‘Tug’ reputedly comes from an incident when he repeatedly ordered a battleship to try to come alongside, and in exasperation offered her captain a tug to assist. He was also known as ‘Old ‘Ard ‘Art’ for his refusal to consider the cares and comforts of officers and men.

What is a greenie in the Navy?

In the Royal Navy vernacular, the term ‘greenie’ describes the officers and ratings responsible for the electrical engineering functions of the fleet.

Who is Sharky Ward?

Tim ‘Sharky’ Ward is a heavily tattooed Kiwi expatriate who has forged a reputation in Thailand as the ‘Shark of Pattaya’. Ward’s colourful life began on the streets of New Zealand where he grew up without parents and quickly became a social pariah; and his early reputation has followed him to adulthood.

What is a squid in the Navy?

A term used in the old Navy (not the store), Squid is what other branches. (especially Marines) generally called sailors. The term refers to the aquatic animal and how it can swim fast in a straight line but similar to inexperienced motorcyclists, have trouble quickly changing directions.

Why is the British Navy called Royal?

To defend his realm, Alfred the Great founded the English navy as a large but single unit. For his land forces, he relied on a number of armies supplied by the shires. thus, although not titled as such, the navy was truly ‘Royal’. This pattern continued for centuries.

Why do soldiers have nicknames?

Military personnel often refer to each other not by their proper names but by the nicknames they are assigned during their tenure in the force. Some of them are meant to poke fun, but others may be assigned as a mark of respect or something positive. It all depends on how they are perceived by their peers.

What are nicknames for Army soldiers?

Nicknames for U.S. Soldiers

  • Jonny Rebel? A Confederate soldier during the Civil War.
  • Billy Yank? A Union soldier during the Civil War.
  • Doughboy? A World War I Soldier.
  • Dogface? A World War II and Korean War Soldier.
  • Grunt? A Vietnam War soldier.
  • Leatherneck, Jarhead? A US Marine.
  • Mustang?
  • Fall-Out?