In a village the size of Newbold Verdon, names alone could be confusing. Several families shared the same surname over generations, and so nicknames took on practical importance — a way to tell one Frank Statham from another, or to mark a family branch by trade, character or distinguishing detail. Most were given in youth and carried for life; many passed down to children and grandchildren in turn.
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| Family | Nickname | Birth Name | Parents | Grandparents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball | Bunker | William Ball | Lived on Dragon Lane | ||
| Ball | P.O. | George Ball | Lived in Cabbage Row and later in Preston Drive. | ||
| Ball | Wacky | ? Ball | Lived in Church Row. | ||
| Ball | Wag | Charles G Ball (1904- ) | Lived in Desford Road. His wife was an albino and they had a grocery store and general business. Research notes: 1921: Occupation: Farm Labourer Waggoner for George "GINGER" Gilliver on Gilbert's farm. 1939: 74, Desford Road, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Farm labourer. |
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| Barlow | Bert | Brian Barlow (1936-1998) | John Leslie Barlow (1903-1970) and Evelyn "Shock" Statham (1904-1974) | Research notes: 1939: 3 Caves Row, off Main Street, Newbold Verdon, living with his parents. |
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| Bates | Nimmy | Bernard Bates | Farmer married to June Bell/Ball? | ||
| Bevins | Fatty Bevins | William Bevins | Lived on Main Street. Owned Balti Hut. | ||
| Bevins | Randy Bevins | ? Bevins | Lived in Red Lion Lane, Newbold Verdon. | ||
| Bevins | Tilty/Titty Bevins | Harry Bevins | Along with Amos Statham (WHISKY), a lengthsman sweeping the village roads.During the 1940s he lived in a cottage attached to the Dragon Inn. | ||
| Bostock | Tommy | Alan Bostock | Named so after his dad. Lived in the Toll Gate House. | ||
| Causon | Corky | John Causon (1936- ) | Walter L Causon (1903- )and Edith E (1903- ) | Lived on Main Street. Brother in law to Brian Hill. Research notes: 1939: 206, Main Street, Newbold Verdon |
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| Culpin | Big Bill | John William Culpin (1871-1945) | Lived in a shed off Merrylees Road in Foxcover Lane before it was tarmaced. He rode a very old bicycle and was a night soil cart driver collecting lavatory pans. Research notes: 1911: Lodger at Garlands Lane, Bagworth. Occupation: Colliery Horse Keeper, Below Ground. From Dodworth, Yorkshire. 1939: 55 Dragon Lane, Newbold Verdon.Occupation: Widowed, OAP Miner. |
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| Elverstone | Tiny | Wilfred Archibald Elverstone (1902- ) | William Elverstone (1869- ) and Minnie (1866- ) | Cousin and Best Man of Norman Gilliver. Choirmaster. Research notes: 1921: Pony Driver in Bagworth Colliery Mines: Invalided. 1939: 67, Desford Road, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Coal Cutter and Driller. |
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| Farmer | Crack | Ivan Farmer | Lived in Church Row. He repaired shoes. Father of Maurice Farmer (Baptist Church Organist). Crack as they were both cobblers. | ||
| Frearson | Alf Dot | Alfred Frearson(1901-1978) | Henry Arthur Frearson (1859-1918) and Charlotte Shaw (1862-1927) | George Frearson (1931-1923)Mary Cave(1832-1903) and William Shaw(1834-1880) Mary Ann Wood(1836-1904) | Lived in Newbold Heath Research notes: 1939: Swan Inn, Main Street, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Sewer pipe layer and labourer. |
| Frearson | Bonty | Walter Frearson | Walter Frearson(1903- )and Daisy M (1908- ) | Lived in Newbold Heath Research notes: 1939: 23, Merrylees Road, Newbold Heath. Occupation: |
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| Frearson | Puffer | Walter Frearson (1903- ) | Lived in Newbold Heath Research notes: 1939: 23, Merrylees Road, Newbold Heath. |
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| Freason | Snuffy Frearson | George Freason (1890- ) | Arthur Frearson (1859- ) and Charlotte (1862- ) | Lived at the end of Red Lion Lane, Newbold Verdon. Research notes: 1939: 9, Red Lion Lane, Newbold Verdon. Widowed and living with his four daughters. Occupation: Colliery Surface Worker. |
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| Freeman | Bockey/Broggy | ? Freeman | He took bets as he was a bookies runner, hence BOCKEY. A farmer at Brascote, he had three children: Rosemary; Gilbert and Robert | ||
| Freeman | Buckup | ? Freeman | |||
| Freeman | Ginty/Jinty | ? Freeman | Lived on Mill Lane | ||
| Freeman | Mazzler | Albert Freeman (1925- ) | John H Freeman ( 1885- ) and Lilian (1890- ) | A formidable right back! Lived on Main Street, then onto Mill Lane. Research notes: 1939: 2, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Lath Sorter. |
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| Freeman | Tucker | ? Freeman | Lived on Mill Lane | ||
| Freeman | Winky Freeman | ? Freeman | Lived in Mill Lane. His brother was "BOCKEY/BROGGY" who took bets, as he was a bookies runner. | ||
| Gibson | Fender | Walter Gibson | He delivered coal from Newbold Heath | ||
| Gilliver | Bubbles | Bruce Gilliver | Lived on Main Street | ||
| Gilliver | Ginger | George Gilliver | Farmer at Gilbert's Farm on Brascote Lane. Also one time clerk to Parish Council. Uncle of Norman Gilliver. | ||
| Grain | Bodgem | Bill Grain (1912- ) | George Grain (1884- )and Emma (1886-) | James Statham (1852- ) and Jemima (1854- ) | Lived on Main Street Research notes: 1921: Living with Grandparents, as Father was dead. 1939: 198, Main Street, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Heel Attacher at Boot Factory. |
| Haines | Podge | Reginald Haines ((1931- ) | George W Haines (1881- ) and Emily (1887- ) | Lived on Main Street. Research notes: 1939: Main Sttreet, Newbold Verdon. George a bus proprietor (Haines Bus Company) partially disabled and Emily a small shopkeeper. |
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| Hardy | Mussy/Mussin | Derrick S Hardy (1934- ) | Cecil C Hardy (1898- ) and Rose A (1898-) | Lived on Mill Lane. Research notes: 1939: 4 Council House, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon |
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| Hardy | Spuggin/Spuggy | Brian Hardy ( - ) | Cecil C Hardy (1898- ) and Rose A (1898-) | Lived on Main Street. | |
| Hextall | Nazzer | Barry Hextall | Lived on Main Street. | ||
| Hill | Tuff | Jack Hill | Father of John Hill. Lived next to Bert Brown's chip shop on Main Street. | ||
| Holt | Nunc | Horace Holt | Lived in Newbold Heath | ||
| Hunt | Gervais/ Gervus | ? Hunt | Lived on Main Street. | ||
| Johnson | Fido | William Johnson | |||
| Johnson | Jonkey | Frank Johnson | |||
| Marshall | Wank | Lance Marshall | "Lank". Grandad of Keith Beck of main Street. Research notes: 1921: Nailstone Colliery. 1939: His daughter Jessie Vera had married. |
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| Orton | Lemon | Walter Orton (1863- ) | Farmed at Desford Road Turnpike. | ||
| Poole | Church | Henry Albert Poole (1937- ) | Henry Poole (1896- ) and Lucy (1898- ) | Lived in Mill Lane. Died Young. Research notes: 1939: 31, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. Father, Henry, incapacitated by illness. |
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| Poole | Cocky Poole | ? Poole | Lived in Church Row. | ||
| Poole | Fatty | Derek Poole | Lived on Main Street | ||
| Poole | Noely | Graham Poole | Noel Poole? | Named so after his dad. | |
| Preston | Enoch | Lionel Preston | |||
| Preston | Ferg | Michael Preston (1932-2019) | Walter J Preston (1892- ) and May F Wildman (1895- ) | Named after the Ferguson Tractor he drove around. Research notes: 1939: 13, Dragon Lane, Newbold Verdon. Father a smallholder and heavy coal haulier. |
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| Preston | Sticky | Albert Preston | Lived in Cabbage Row and then in Mill Lane. | ||
| Prime | Bessy | George Edward Prime (1899-1974) | Arthur Prime (1859-1931) and Sarah Jane Kind (1860-) | William Prime(1828-1910 ) and Mary Toon(1827-1877) | Possibly short for "Best Man". Maybe a brassman? Lived at 3 Main Street. Took bets like "Winky Freeman". Brothers: Frank and William (Bill) Research notes: 1939: 3, Church Row with his widowed mother. Occupation: Coal Face Getter. |
| Prime | Bunney (Mrs) | ? Prime | Lived next door to the Methodist Church, where she was the caretaker of the church. | ||
| Prime | Farty | Ray Prime | Lived on Main Street | ||
| Prime | Flirt | Graham Prime | Lived on Preston Drive. | ||
| Prime | Fruzzy | John William Prime (1886-) | Arthur Prime (1860-) and Sarah (1863-) | Sometimes known as Jack/Bill. Brother of Frank "Rosher" Prime. Lived on Main Street. Research notes: 1939: 134, Main Street, Newbold Verdon, with wife Ada. |
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| Prime | Rosher | Francis James Prime (1891- ) | Arthur Prime (1860-) and Sarah (1863-) | Known as Frank. Brother of William "Bill" and George. Research notes: 1939: 136, Main Street, Newbold Verdon, with his wife Rebecca. |
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| Sharp | Narney | ? Sharp | Lived in Church Row. | ||
| Shaw | Baggy Shaw | Thomas Henry Shaw (1904-1955) THS Willoughby Arthur Shaw (1901-1967) WAS | Willoughby Shaw (1868-1947) and Alice Redfern (1868-1944) | Grandad to Janet Baker Poole (nee Shaw) and Rex England. Research notes: THS: 1921: Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Coalminer/Banksman above ground; Desford Colliery. 1939: 25, Grange Cottages, Earl Shilton. Occupation: Seamless Hosiery Maker. WAS: 1921: Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Coalminer(Haulage Works); Nailstone Colliery. 1939: Leicester Road, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Coalminer/Road Repairer. Married to Gertrude Eliza Baker. |
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| Shaw | Chick | Malcolm Shaw | Lived in Church Row | ||
| Smith | Doggy/ Fizzer | Allan Smith (1928- ) | George Henry Smith (1902- ) and Sarah A (1903- ) | Married to both Jean Kirkland and daughter Christine married John Hill. Very fast bowler. Research notes: 1939: 8 Council House, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon |
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| Smith | Sheenix | George Henry Smith (1902- ) | Harry Smith (1883- ) and Catherine (1884- ) | Father of Allan Smith. Lived in Mill Lane. Research notes: 1911: 110 High Street, Ibstock. 1939: 8 Council House, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. |
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| Smith | Spim | Ivan Smith (1928- ) | Cyril Jams Smith (1892- ) and Henrietta (1894- ) | Lived in the council houses on Dragon Lane. Research notes: 1939: 61, Dragon Lane, Newbold Verdon. |
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| Starbuck | Spitter | Percy A Starbuck (1879- ) | Lived on lower Main Street. He had a cycle shop. Research notes: 1939: ,Main Street, newbold Verdon. Occupation: Motor Cycle Engineer. |
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| Statham | DOCKET | Frank DOCKET Statham (1905-1978) | Thomas Statham (1871-1949) TRILBY/TRILLY & Lizzie Baker (1879-1949) | Thomas Statham (1838-1925) & Ann Argyle (1838-1918) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1810-1864) & Elizabeth Vallance (1813-1891) | Lived at 112 Main Street, NV, before moving to 7 Bagworth Road, Newbold Heath, as a bricklayer |
| Statham | DOODAH/DOODY | George DOODAH Statham (1879-1973) | David Statham (1829-1915) & Mary Ann Johnson (1846-1906) | Thomas Statham (1772-1852) & Martha Morton (1790-1854) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1729-1802) & Ann Boyer (1745-1791) | Lived in Dragon Lane.George sang in the Church Choir and was Grandad to Michael Higgs. From the community: (FROM JOHN WRIGHT) Lived at 39 Dragon Lane in the 1950s/60s as JW lived at number 41 dragon Lane at the same time |
| Statham | FLASH | Jeffrey FLASH Staham (1929-1978) | Amos Statham (1891-1962) WHISKEY & Lilian Preston (1892-1958) | Amos Statham (1861-1946) & Judith Ann Statham (1866-1927) Great-grandparents: John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) | Brother of Clifford YAM Statham (1930-2001) |
| Statham | LICKER | John LICKER Statham (1950- ) | John Leslie Statham (1910-1986) & Gladys A Elliott (1918-2017) | Elijah Statham (1885-1962) & Mabel Kate Heydon 91889-1968) Great-grandparents: Arthur OLD MAN MERKIN Statham (1859-1937) & Elizabeth Faux (1863-1918) | |
| Statham | MERKIN | Arthur OLD MAN MERKIN Statham (1859-1937) & Elizabeth Faux (1863-1918) | Charles Statham (1827-1908) & Elizabeth Wright (1825-1899) | Thomas Statham (1772-1852) & Martha Morton (1790-1854) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1729-1802) & Ann Boyer (1745-1791) | Arthur known as OLD MAN MERKIN and all 17 cildren were MERKINS too. Obadiah lived next to the Methodist Church, while Frank and his wife Grace, lived opposite Hill's Shop. Mabel (as Mrs Langton) lived in Dunkley's Row behind Main Street and Richard "Dick" lived on Hill's Row behind Main Street.Roy was also known as MERKIN |
| Statham | SALTY/SALKY | Malcolm SALTY Statham (1932-2023) | Edwin TUPPENY Staham (1894-1982) & Annie E Dowell (1897-1969) | Samuel Statham (1863-1944) & Mary Ann Abell (1865-1922) Great-grandparents: John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) | Nicknamed because he used to lick the blue salt bag in a packet of crisps. Lived on Main Street and then when older in Mill Lane |
| Statham | SHOCK | Neville George SHOCK Statham (1914-1995) Dennis SHOCK Statham (1916-1987) Percy Roy SHOCK Statham (1919-2005) | Herbert Statham (1867-1936) & Susan Abell (1874-1946) | John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) Great-grandparents: James Statham & Ann | All three brothers were known as SHOCK and the all lved in Dunkley's Row, behind Main Street. Evelyn and Alice, their sisters, was also known as SHOCK |
| Statham | SIXIE | Douglas Varney SIXIE Statham (1916-1968) and Mac Leonard SIXIE Statham ( 1919-1986) | Arthur SIXIE Statham (1885-1963) & Rose H Cave (1887-1981) | Amos Statham (1861-1946) & Judith Ann Statham (1866-1927) Great-grandparents: Charles Statham (1827-1908) & Elizabeth Wright (1825-1899) | Mac Leonard Statham started Statham's Shoe Factory Shop. He lived at 15 Mill Lane in the 1940s/50s. Recollections of them both living on Main Street, near to Cob Cottage before living on Mill Lane. |
| Statham | STRUNT/STRUNTY | Ernest STRUNTY Statham (1872-1947) & Mary Ann Biddle (1876-1944) | David Statham (1829-1915) & Mary Ann Johnson (1846-1906) | Thomas Statham (1772-1852) & Martha Morton (1790-1854) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1729-1802) & Ann Boyer (1745-1791) | |
| Statham | SWIFTY | William SWIFTY Statham (1876-1953) | Henry Statham (1849-1931) & Jane Culpin (1852-1927) | Thomas Statham (1810-1864) & Elizabeth Vallance (1813-1891) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1772-1852) & Martha Morton (1790-1854) | A Statham that owned a Traction engine and was hired by local farmers at Threshing Time. He lived at 55 Dragon Lane |
| Statham | TANNER/TENNER | A Statham that would make anything for anyone for 6d. | |||
| Statham | TRILLY/TRILBY | Thomas TRILBY Statham (1871-1949) | Thomas Statham (1838-1925) & Ann Argyle (1838-1918) | Thomas Statham (1810-1864) & Elizabeth Vallance (1813-1891) Great-grandparents: Thomas Statham (1772-1852) & Martha Morton (1790-1854) | Father of Frank DOCKET Statham. Thomas TRILBY Statham lived opposite the Co-Op. |
| Statham | TUCKER | Lived on Mill Lane | |||
| Statham | TUPPENY | Edwin TUPPENY Statham (1894-1982) | Samuel Statham (1863-1944) & Mary Ann Abell (1865-1922) | John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) Great-grandparents: James Statham & Ann | Lived at 124 Main Street, before moving to Mill Lane when an elderly gentleman |
| Statham | VAMPER | Winifred S VAMPER Statham (1915-1965) | John Henry WHISKEY Statham (1882-1940) & Elizabeth Wileman (1879-1949) | Amos Statham (1861-1946) & Judith Ann Statham (1866-1927) Great-grandparents: John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) | Married Albert Edwards. During 1940s/50s lived in Dunkleys Row, off Main Street next to red Lion Lane. Winifred mother of Barry Edwards. |
| Statham | WHISKEY | Albert Eric WHISKEY Statham (1917-2002) | Albert WHISKEY Statham (1893-1968) & Margaretta Frearson (1893-1967) | Amos Statham (1861-1946) & Judith Ann Statham (1866-1927) Great-grandparents: John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) | Lived at 5 Church Row, Main Street in 1939. According to recollections, they all lived opposite The Swan Inn.Albert, Walter, Thomas, Horace were all "Whiskey" Statham's |
| Statham | YAM | Clifford YAM Statham (1930--2001) | Amos Statham (1891-1962) WHISKEY & Lilian Preston (1892-1958) | Amos Statham (1861-1946) & Judith Ann Statham (1866-1927) Great-grandparents: John Statham (1814-1879) & Mary Argyle (1832-1891) | Brother of Jeffrey FLASH Statham (1929-1978) |
| Thompson | Tanner | Clarence Thompson | Ran the grocery shop on Main Street | ||
| Towers | Wally | Frederick Walter Towers (1918- ) | Short for Walter. Research notes: 1939: 114, Main Street, Newbold Verdon. Occupation: Concrete Worker. |
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| Unknown | Chubby/Killer | ||||
| Wale | Badger | Roy Wale (1932- ) | Richard James Wale (1897-1967) & Elsie Millward (1901-1958) | Research notes: 1939: 1, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. |
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| Wale | Brunty | Kenneth Wale (1939- ) | Richard James Wale (1897-1967) & Elsie Millward (1901-1958) | Research notes: 1939: 1, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon |
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| Wale | Patty | Sidney Norman Wale (1929-1997) | Richard James Wale (1897-1967) & Elsie Millward (1901-1958) | Research notes: 1939: 1, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. |
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| Wale | Tiggy | Ronald Wale (1936- ) | Richard James Wale (1897-1967) & Elsie Millward (1901-1958) | Research notes: 1939: 1, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. |
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| Wardle | Titchy | Alan B Wardle (1933- ) | Frank B Wardle (1910- ) and Vera M (1913- ) | Died very young. Research notes: 1939: 14, Main Street, Newbold Verdon. |
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| West | Marty | ? West | Possibly Marston West. Fasther of Amy Ball of Church Row. | ||
| Weston | Codling | Thomas Weston (1868- ) | John Weston (1833- ) and Elizabeth (1834- ) | Lived at the top of Mill Lane. Research notes: 1939: 63, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon. Retired Miner. |
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| Wilson | Jeepy | Maurice Wilson | Lived on either Cadle Street, Hill Street or Gilliver Street |
How to Use This Record
This record gathers nicknames documented across the Statham family and many other Newbold Verdon and Newbold Heath households. Most entries link a nickname to a birth name and known relatives, alongside the village memory and research that accompanies them.
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