REGIMENTAL NICKNAMES
Major Dougie Shepherd has submitted a list of regimental nicknames which he used and heard during his time in the Seaforth and Queens Own Highlanders, 1956-1993. It is by no means a definitive list and in fact refers mainly to Officers and SNCOs.
There are many other much more colourful “Jock” nicknames. Here is a start for the “Jocks” and JNCOs:
Puff and Pant Cpl Grant Domestic Pioneers
Magoo The one and only Wattie Riddell. Anti Tank
Buffer Sanderson. Musician, boxer, Anti tank, all round rogue and good man.
The Tank Cpl Donlevy. Mortars, QMs, the bravest boxer I ever saw.
Steamy Reid. Piper QMs and nice guy
Sauchie Hall. MT Singapore, brilliant footballer.
Flower McCormack. Good wee sodger, Golden Lions, The Bonny Bee
Diesel McAllister. Sadly now departed.
As his CSM he was the only man that Maj Shepherd knew who had 4 aunts all die in the same year and all seemingly deserving of compasionate leave. Bonny Bee.
Goody Goodwin. One of the Glasgow Boys in the Bonny Bee 1975. Not the worst by any matter of means
Penguin Lcpl Sanderson. RPs long ago.
Johny fae Perth Pretswell. Bonny Bee 1975. Not the best soldier in the world. Not the worst. Just a likeable wee man.
Sakai Moore. MT. Can’t remember how he came by this nickname.
Sakai was a derogetery name for primitive forest dwellers in Malaya, I went out for a few drinks with him in Berlin but scarperd very sharpish when he decided to have a pee into
the chimps' enclosure in Berlin Zoo!
(Richard Everill)
Skin Ross. Not sure of the origin. D Coy?
The Pirate Bennet (Pete). A Coy. Maj Cassels’ batman.
Oscar Joe Murray. A Coy Singapore. Keeper of monkeys! He had a magnificent moustache which he along with Tam Fisher, the owner of an equally magnificent moustache shaved off prior to an ID parade one Monday morning in Singapore. And they got away with it!!!
Clachar Todd. QMs. The story goes that despite receiving a travel warrant on enlistment, he walked from Granton-on-Spey to the Depot.
Rab The Rat Wee Rab Henderson. Chunkies. Good wee Sodger.
The Knife Lcpl MacMillan. MI Room.
Sporko Sellars. Singapore. Famous for ? Put it this way he had to wear extra long PT pants.
Korean Ant Stewart 74.
OTHERS WHICH HAVE BEEN SENT IN BY QO HLDRS
Johnny ( the fly) Meechan
Rowdy Yates
Jaws Macleod
Maurice (Monkey) Stirling
Squeak Williamson
Bullets Waston
Dingus Ferguson
Woofles Moir
Tubes Lawson
Kelvin (Yonk) Hunter
John (Tito) Shewan
Norman (wee Robbie) Robertson
Joe (schwartz) Munro
Boggy McKinnon Pioneers Berlin
Ghost McLeod B Coy Berlin
Jungle Taylor ? B Coy
Who remembers Sailor (McAdie) at the Depot in 61, always sat in the NAAFI with two pints.
Uggy (McGair) He's still out there in Fife.
Batco - Piper Stewart from Gairloch 88-94
Skid or Ollie - PM Mike Gray
Zonk - D Coy 90's
Shiffty - PM Calum Mackenzie
Donga - PM DJ MacIntyre
Mothball - Piper Neil Matheson late 80's
Padre MacLean
Loppy........... Piper Lawrie P&D's
Podgie......... L/cpl Fraser (16) 'B' Company
Dodo............Pte MacKenzie 'B'Company
Pigs in Space - Cpl Dougie Fraser 06
Biscuits Maclean
Cody O'Neill
Clony McPhearron
Pedro Offrs Mess /HQ Coy CSM (Sharjah)
Officer nicknames which come to mind are as follows:
Big Dan Lt Col MacHardy
Hoppy Maj Gen Hopkinson
Safety Razor Lt Col Fraser
String Vest Lt Col Nason
Nails Lt Gen Lamb. Very up to date this one.
Pete the Jeep Maj Gen Grant Peterkin
Rubble Lt Lewis
Jimmy the Jockey Lt Col Murray
The Ghost His father.
Nut and Bolt Maj Holt
Snake Maj Lorimer
Jerogie Gen Mackenzie
Happy Kappy Capt Kaplowitch
Mucky Maj MMC
Grimbo Maj Grimes
Abdul Maj MacNair
Jig a Boo Maj Houston
Noddie Capt Harmsworth
Betty Boot Maj Martin
Timber Maj Wood
Kit Lt Col Carson
Chalky Lt Col White
Circles Lt Col Cumming
Bugs Maj MacLaren
The Bull Maj MacLagan
Daddy Lt Col Thoms
Trog Maj Anderson
Chips Maj Crowe. Uttered very quietly and only in the confines of the Officers’ Mess by the braver of the subalterns. (Got it – Mike Crow = Micro = Microchips = Chips)
Additionally some officers were so prominent (even loved) that they were known only by their initials:
ID Lt Col Cameron
DR Brig Maclennan
WW Lt Col Cheyne. Also known as Whisky Whisky.
Senior NCO nicknames which come to mind:
Fireside Fender CSM Pender
Peter the Heater CSM Finlayson
Wee Man CSgt Topping (Alan)
The King Sgt Urquhart
Betty CSgt Bethune
The Ped CSgt Peddie
Punchy CSM MacDonald
Biff CSgt Vance
Turtle Sgt Love
Big Sneck Sgt Munro (there were 2 of them, 1xRPs 1xSigs Pl)
Daphne Sgt Kyle
Badger Sgt MacDonald 21
Uncle Bob CSgtMalloch
Ma Baw/Bush/Boat CSM Balloch
Pills Sgt Watson (A Coy MT)
Hawaian Eye WO2 Neil
Chiefy WO2 Reid
Schimph CSM Mackenzie. He’s still schimphing
Slink CSgt Ord (The elder)
VC Sgt Rogers
Plum Sgt Logan
Famto CSgt Mackenzie
General Sgt McKee
The Baddy RSM Mahady. Scared of nobody.
Dykes RSM Duffus. Also scared of nobody.
And now for some real ancients:
Jake the Blade Sgt Lewis
Stoneface Sgt McLean (Osnabruck 61)
Speak CSM MacDonald (Singapore)
Tin Lid CSM Kidd (Osnabruck 62)
Twinkletoes CSM Graham (Singapore)
Peas and Barley Lt Col Millar
Faith Hope and Charity Sgt Garrity (Singapore)
Striker Maj Cosgrove
Nod Sgt Hunter
Sneaky CSM Snell
Pedro CSM MacDonald
The Bone CSM MacAllister. One of the very best.
Casey CSM Cobban. Smartest on parade by far
Rice Brains CSM R B Wilson
Sweaty Feet CSM Peat
Kenny the Cough Sgt McKinnon
The Bombay Busdriver CSgt McKergo (MT)
Some more nicknames from memory, took about five minutes, amazing what comes out after a prompt. All from the 1960's, Singapore, Berlin, Osnabruck.
Mutton Jeff Smith Recce
Abcess/Septic Jimmy Boyle D Coy
Matted Mike Mike Stewart Capt Recce Pl
Biscuits Arbuthnot Rifle Coy
Blankets and Bedding David Sneddon Mil Band
Big Jim Cassels Capt
Raggy Adams A Coy
Shep D Shepherd A coy
Ramrod Jake Lewis A Coy
Morbid Montgomery Int Section
Zombie Alec Mackay Anti Tank Pl
Boot David Chalmers Recce
Dynamite Sandy Macmullin Recce
Big Bopper Bert Munro Recce
Smiler Albert Smith MMG/Recce
The Hawk Rory Haugh Capt Anti Tank Pl
Red (Robin) Robin Hunt Capt
Bullets Dusty Miller Ammo Stores
Flip Ian Kerr MMG/Recce
Pluto Munro D Coy
Faither Fotheringham A Coy
Errol Cpl Flynn MMG/Recce
That's all for now, may dredge up some more later. Did not put a lot of detail, those who knew them will know.
Pat Gillespie
Nickname 'Hey You'.
After an absence of far too many years, I found Dougie Shepherd's list of nicknames both amusing and nostalgic. In a year when I've only recently got back in touch (only to find that old friends and such legendary figures as Jocky and Dykes have left us), it was good to see that our blue mafia sense of humour lives on. I remember Jocky once saying to me, left hand on hip and the index finger of his right hand almost jabbing my eye out, "Listen Chuckie, we all love misery - and there's so much of it around!"
Nice to see that most eccentric of all eccentric officers, our Jebel-storming Major: "Bugs" McLaren , in the list. The "Korean Ant" and JFP was there and I see even Pete "The Pirate" made it (eat your heart out Gary Glitter).
However, there were a few nicknames missing that I would have expected to see: that elusive Glaswegian "Cody" O'Neill for one. Also, the policer of Regimental Policemen and "Sneckie" Munro's right-hand man: Corporal "The Black" Christie, "Big Uggie" (MT Section), "Paddy" McGovern (you haven't seen a double-act 'til you've seen him and Schimpf Mackenzie together), "The Welt" (Bonnie B - can't remember his name but I do remember Colin Keil (then RSM) asking him if the appendage poking out beneath his shorts was on the Ration Books - (this was Tony Curran the Clerk (ED)), CSM Ronnie "Sinky" Sinclair (who when admonishing an idle soldier on the drill square, threatened to chain him to "Clacher" Todd for a week) and I can think of at least three "Suds" Sutherland.
Of course, there are many more. Under Dougie's list of officers who were known by their initials (as he says, they were so prominent, even loved) we mustn't forget DNA - Lt Col Blair.
Kind regards,
"Chuckie" (why did they start calling me Mick after I went into the Sergeant's Mess?) Bird
Here's a few, Lt Stewart -Matted Mike (went to SAS)
Lt GB Murray- Pibroch ( walked around playing a chanter)
Sgt MacDonald -Speedie -Mortars
Cpl Warr (HQ) -Atomic -Dining room Nco
Cpl MacKenzie -The Grey Wolf. Mortars
And last but not least myself
LCpl Alistair MacPherson -Aerial (due my uncanny ability to get through on the wireless when all else failed. 3inch Mortars SPT Coy and 16 Pln D Coy.1958- 1964. SEAFORTH& QOHLDRS.
Ally MacPherson.99
Bucket Lip Wille Kilpatrick Signal Platoon
Dino John McPhee Signal Platoon
Danny Piddle Danny Petrie Signal Platoon
rgds Rab Torbet
Hi my name is Tom Brown (Hovis 06) How about these Guys, who had Nicknames, Ghost Macdonald, B/coy, and HQ. Pop Mckenzie 79, A/coy Jake two knives Mike Jacobs A/coy.1 platoon. Percy John Conlin A/coy 1/platoon .And how about me the one and only Hovis 06 A/coy.1/ platoon. and Winky A/coy 1/ platoon. and cpl. Mac the knife.A/coy 1/platoon
How about Zebo - Brown 77 QM's
Hi, my second cousin Jim Logue was nicknamed 'Dougal' . He was in Osnabruck in 1971 when I was there. (Morag McAlister)
Harry " the horse" Munro . MT D Rider
"Soda" Macdonald 49 MT 1960/66 3Ton
"Geordak" J McCarthy MT 3Ton
DINGUS , after the film Dirty Dingus MaGee ??
Pat Ferguson
Here's a few for you Dave from the 70's
Chay the Crabbag ( Charlie Harvey ) 7 pl B coy... His mum did ask where he got the name from.
Clive Dunn (Maclean 83 ) 7pl B coy Everybody's Granddad
Doris ( Mulcahy ) 7 pl B coy Everybody's sweetheart
Big Senga ( Eddie Maley) 7pl B coy Company Bike
Loads more but will leave it for now
All the Best Pete Wason
Hiya!!
My dad Alexander Thompson was "Spud50". He served in the signal platoon!
Margaret Thompson
The following are some of the nicknames that I remember from my time in the regiment (Signals Pl), Some I cant remember the real names but maybe yourself or someone will remember them. Good idea of Dougie Shepherd, brings back fond memories of the regiment.
Signals Pl.
The Geek - Kenny Macgregor
Alky Alkinson
Steps - Arthur stephens
Black John/Dino - John Mcphee
Maggot Wilson
Spud/50 - Alex Thompson
Peem - Iain Thompson
Tosh Macintosh
Dela - David Wares, killed at Warrenpoint
Chiefy Reid
Wee Willie Winkie
Chalky White
Bonny - Graham Bonnyman
Pagey - Wilson Paige
Craibie - Barry Craib
Frugal - Danny Morgan
Spency
B Coy
Taxi - Pte Hire
Puss - Albert Duffus
Jed - Ian Geddes
Steed Wilson
Ki Kiowski
Wee Eck Muir
Squeak Mackintosh
Titch Macdonald
SI - Simon Mackenzie
Jintus
Others
Big Snecky
Black Jake
Wombat
Speedy
Big Hendo
Slinky - Sammy Ord
Dinger Bell
Compo
Cluny Mcpherson
Knuckles
Lugs
Hawaiian Eye
Scooby
Snowy
Scooter
Baffers - Baff , MT
Vimto
Big Dunky Forbes
Dougal
Shug Topping
Uncle
Mav Yarrick
Pop Mckenzie
Sent in by peem (Iain Thompson)
And if course not forgetting Dougie Shepherd himself who was known as COMPRIFI when running the PRI in the Falklands.
Re- Nicknames.
Bruno Cpl Brown Cpls Mess
Tom an Jerry Brian Perry Sig Pln
The Gonk Andy Duncan Sig Pln
Dusty Andy Miller Sig Pln
Frugal Danny Morgan Sig Pln
Steps Stephens Sig Pln
Zeb (as in Zeberdee) George Smith Sig Pln
Scouse. Riley
Scouse Riley ( The Little One) Leo
Scouse Murphy
Scouse Gribbin
Scouse Banks
Scouse Larkin
Scouse Jones
Scouse Rothwell
Scouse Payne
Scouse Peers
Scouse Allen
Scouse Derbyshire
Scouse Danunzio
and others I think. Oh yes, me, and somebody else.
I did know a lad called Jock, but only one.
Bullets Miller, Ammo Storeman, Singapore
Hookey. Jimmy Walker MID
From Ronnie Baybut
Good auld Geordie (the Claw) Anderson on taking over as UFO Could never say our names so he called us Chopsticks (LCpl Chlupuk) and Matchsticks (Sgt Brian Mat????? )even then I could never spell it
Ronnie C
Gilly Gilly Man, X Seaforth, Q.O.Hldres, 1955 to 1977 Drummer ,"D" Coy ,MT,Ant/Pl, Alister Mac Gillivray.
Slaps, Pipes & Drums 1St Queens own Cameron Hldrs , Q,O,Hldrs, 1959 & 1965, Frances Mc Lennion.
Alastair McGillivray
Here is some more,
Homer. Ian Homes 1/Platoon. A/coy.
A good wee Glasgow Lad
Pedro. Peter Macmurdo 1/Platoon. A/coy.
Nobby. Clark 1/Platoon. A/coy.
Pluto . Lt. D. Monro 1/Platoon. A/coy.
( He was a very good officer.)
The Cpl.who was nicknamed Mac the Knife was Ray Callahan, he was a good Pal and we liked a wee drink together, sorry he is not with us any more God Bless him.
Hooky . James Walker. B/coy.
Mention In Despaches
Brunei.
Chick -Mac I think he was in D/coy ?. or B/coy?.
another good chapy.
more to come hovis 06.
Zebo - Brown 77 QMs
"Fletch" Fletcher x Cameron M. T.
"Chas" Morison x Seaforth M. T.
"Sam" Bassett x Seaforth M. T.
"Jonah" Lcpl Jones x Seaforth M. T.
Dixe Deans . 2 /platoon. A/Coy.
He went to H.Q./Coy
Wee Smudger . James Smith 1/platoon . A/coy.
He could cause a row and a fight in a empty
billet.
Wee pipes Wattson. 1/platoon. A/Coy.
He loved to watch and listen to the Battalion Pipe
Band. he was a good wee Lad, and any one who
knew him, Iam sorry to tell you he is not with us
any more.
By for now hovis 06.
Myself Puss Duffus
Yours Aye,
Albert
Not to be forgotten T LA B alias Tam Brockie,when visiting him in hospital he was dying from cancer,I would ask him how he was,terrible was his answer,put me in that wheelchair we'll go for a fag or two and I'll tell you all about it.Sadly missed.Eck Muir (47)