Nobby Clark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nobby Clark (alternate spellings include "Knobby" and "Clarke") is a very common nickname used by English persons with the surname Clark or Clarke.

Soldiers of the Canadian Forces seem to have picked up this nickname as well during the 20th Century.

The explanation given for the use of this nickname is that clerks (sometimes prounounced "clark" in certain English dialects) in the City of London used to wear Nobby hats, or tophats.

Examples include:

  • Edward Winchester Clark, famous cricket player.
  • Major Francis Herbert Clarke, a company commander with the Calgary Highlanders in the Second World War.
  • Flight Lieutenant Fred Clarke, a pilot with 414 Squadron, RCAF, in the Second World War.
  • J.M. "Knobby" Clarke, one of the first mechanics with the Ontario Provincial Air Service in the 1920s.
  • Gordon "Nobby" Clark, former singer of Scottish band Bay City Rollers.
  • Harry "Knobby" Clark, participant of coup de main-raid on Pegasus Bridge, 5/6 June 1944
  • Neil "Nobby" Clarke, Essendon Football Club footballer.
  • Nobby Clarke, Australian banker.

[edit] In Fiction

  • "Knobby Clarke", a character played by Daniel Massey in the television film The Back of Beyond in 1969.
  • The Ballad of Knobby Clarke, a musical written by Jim Nelson.
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