Guest Darby Posted 7 February , 2007 Share Posted 7 February , 2007 Can anyone tell me why Allans or Allens were called Darby? My father served aboard the Invincible & I grew up going to meet his old shipmates who always called him Darby. His Service Number was R7654321. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeppoSapone Posted 7 February , 2007 Share Posted 7 February , 2007 Can anyone tell me why Allans or Allens were called Darby? My father served aboard the Invincible & I grew up going to meet his old shipmates who always called him Darby. His Service Number was R7654321. The Australians do it too: "Allen - Darby Allen – there seems to have been a tradition of naming anyone with the surname Allen as “Darby Allen” both within the RN and the RAN for many years. Its origin is uncertain but perhaps it is a distortion of the old song 'Barbra Allen'. 'Darbies' is also the slang for handcuffs – but nothing to do with Allen?" From this thread about Navy nicknames: http://www.rumration.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/vi...ic/p=57325.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Darby Posted 8 February , 2007 Share Posted 8 February , 2007 Can anyone tell me why Allans or Allens were called Darby? My father served aboard the Invincible & I grew up going to meet his old shipmates who always called him Darby. His Service Number was R7654321. Funnily enough Dad became a War Reserve Policeman (WW II) so handcuffs are appropriate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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