Wartime nicknames

[jacksparrow]

Does anyone know where the nickname of "DANKY" comes from?

Was it popular during the war?

Was it related to a particular rank or service?

Was it a name for British soldiers ..... or maybe American?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

[margaretparkin]

my grandpa was anorrfolk boy called acker any ideas

[margaretparkin]

interesting but intriguing my gmother who called my father this was from norfolk and never went further west than warwickshire in her life margaretps hope ots respectable

[peter nicholl]

As well as the West Country name as in Mr Bilk, Acker, or Ackers is/was Service Slang for money. Danky? a bit more about the person might shed a clue.

[jacksparrow]

.......... Danky? a bit more about the person might shed a clue.

Private "Danky" Morton, initials C H, was my grandfather. He was a member of the 1st Battalion Kensington Regiments (Princess Louise's), part of the 78th Infantry Division of the 8th British Army.
I have no idea where was born or lived...... I know that he was in the Southend-on-Sea area before going abroad, because that is where he met my grandmother.... and left her 'with child' (....my father, who was subsequently adopted... which is why I have very little information about "Danky".)

I would so love to find out more about his man as at the moment because I dont have his first names or dob, I can't even begin to trace him / his family. I have his army service number, but because I can't provide his death certificate the Army Records Office wont release copies of his papers to me (I have already written about this in another link "Service Records for WWII Army Personnel".... if anyone can help.)

Many thanks.

[BeeE586]

Nothing to do with wartime but my father's name was Charles and always called that by family, but known to his associates as Charlie Wag, or sometimes just Wag. Born and lived almost all his life in North east Derbyshire.

Any offers on that ?

Eileen

[get2BJ]

Jacksparrow, my husband is from the Midlands (West Bromwich) and in his particular family, nicknames have -ky on the end eg:

Den becomes Denky
Dave becomes Dakey
John becomes Jonky
Lee becomes Leeky etc.

Perhaps something similar pertains to your grandfather's nickname, maybe there were other Mortons around and each was identified by a reference to his father's nickname. Alternately, perhaps the Mortons did a particular type of job like Dusty Miller.

Eileen, also from hubbies childhood in West Brom, 'Waggin' school' was playing truant, and the 'Wag mon' (Wag man) was the Truancy Officer.

I really love the way these expressions and use of language develop in certain parts of the country and and never heard in towns less than 10-20 miles away. Local sayings and naming quirks should be cherished and preserved.

Brenda (a right ol' Londoner!)

[BeeE586]

We wagged off' from school around here also but the Truancy Officer when there was one was known as the School Bobby (as in policeman).

But no connection whatsover with my father. He was born in 1902 and I'm told was a model pupil upto the age of 14 when he left and went to work initially as a brickmaker's apprentice. He had a number of jobs but never anything to do with truancy or schools.

Eileen