How to address, a cultural question

Boom · 5 January 2004, 07:50 AM

As Barrett let slip, work on Duel Over Douaiis about to leap forward. Trying to be as authentic in all things we need to know what to do with the hero's name.

He is minor aristocracy and a RFC/RAF Camel pilot named Robert John Brabizon Woodall-Powell. What would his squadron-mates call him? What would his girlfriend call him? His parents? Would anyone of that era ever call him "W.P."? Robert, Bob, Bobby, WP ??

It's a cultural, social question that is not in reference books, so your advice is appreciated.

cheers, Boom

Rick · 5 January 2004, 09:23 AM

Boom,

IMHO, his parents would call him Robert. His squardron mates would call him Bob. His girl friend would call him 'Babs'.

R.

PeterL · 5 January 2004, 10:14 AM

Sir?

MikeW · 5 January 2004, 10:25 AM

In regard to his surname, I have found that the flying services often (but not always) dropped the first part of the double-barelled surname.

The same thing happened in the army during the second world war - I had a lecturer at college called Babbington-Hytch, to save trouble he spelt it as Hitch - he said it created problems when he was promoted - Major Hitch!

Mike

PeterL · 5 January 2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick@Jan 5 2004, 10:23 PM
[b] ...His girl friend would call him 'Babs'.

R.

Being "minor aristocracy" we can safely assume a public school education, it which case "Babs" is not at all unlikely. "Brabbers" and "Woody" are other possibilities, as is "Timbertops" if he's a bit on the lanky side. Of course, it all depends on whether he is well liked. He might be known as "that long streak of p!$$" to the less repectful other ranks.

5 January 2004, 01:17 PM

Dear Boom,
Nice to see you again here at The Forum...
Depending on whether or not he was still in touch with his public school classmates, I should think that his intimates and "pals" would have given him a nickname.
Damned if the British don't have a penchant for nicknames! Probably contributed to their downfall as an empire-- an attack of "the cutes", dontcha know?
Captain "Scratcher" Lewis

PeterL · 5 January 2004, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaptainLewis@Jan 6 2004, 02:17 AM
[b]
Damned if the British don't have a penchant for nicknames! Probably contributed to their downfall as an empire-- an attack of "the cutes", dontcha know?
Captain "Scratcher" Lewis

Shhhhhhh! Keep your voice down Cap. Ginger (below 4th right) hasn't heared about that yet.

Captain "Scratcher" Lewis

You should put something on that rash. A nurse perhaps

6 January 2004, 05:23 AM

Woodall-Powell?
If tall, surely "Splinter" by his mates, or "Brabbles".

"Robbie, darling," by the gal. (" I went to the gallery, Caruthers, but there weren't no gals!"

"Ungrateful Wretch" by his parents.

Boom · 6 January 2004, 11:23 AM

You're doing great, so keep it up. Not sure what will be usable, but having fun checking the ideas.

Nicknames were the downfall,eh? What to make of US Naval aviation today where everyone gets tagged with a callsign while in training. Gone are the days of good stories behind the names.

cheers, Boom (there is a story)