My father served on HMS Anson during WW2 (A KG5 class battleship).
He used to refer to the Supermarine Walrus it carried as a `Pussus Spitfire` ?
I can’t find any reference to this name. Is this a known slang term for the aircraft? Has anyone heard this before?
Sadly passed away so not able to ask him.
By: ZRX61 - 4th May 2013 at 16:53
You can buy Pusser’s Rum, which is reputedly to the original Admiralty requirements.
Got a bottle right here 🙂 It’s allegedly made at the distillery in Barbados where the RN got it’s rum from. It’s got a kick to it
By: Graham Boak - 4th May 2013 at 11:34
You can buy Pusser’s Rum, which is reputedly to the original Admiralty requirements.
By: Avro Avian - 4th May 2013 at 10:41
‘Pusser’ is RN slang for ‘Purser’ who was the finance officer on board ship. In Nelson’s time the post was a profit making one and Pussers used to buy the ships stores and were notorious for corruption. I would imagine that there is a connection here between that tradition and the appearance of the Walrus.
Regards
From my understanding, Pusser was originally a corruption or slang for the Purser on the ship, as you have indicated, but it has gone on to be slang for the whole Navy. My brother, who has served in the RAN has certainly referred to the Navy as “Pussers”.
A good link for Navy slang can be found here. Not for the faint of heart…:)
By: JDH1976 - 4th May 2013 at 10:18
Maybe in that the Walrus was also designed by Mitchell? Or would that sort of information not been known at the time?
By: Orion - 4th May 2013 at 09:06
‘Pusser’ is RN slang for ‘Purser’ who was the finance officer on board ship. In Nelson’s time the post was a profit making one and Pussers used to buy the ships stores and were notorious for corruption. I would imagine that there is a connection here between that tradition and the appearance of the Walrus.
Regards
By: JFS61 - 4th May 2013 at 06:56
“Pussers” is a slang term that refers to the Navy. Therefore, the Walrus would be the Navy’s Spitfire (very tongue in cheek!).
My father’s cousin served as the ship’s surgeon on HMS Anson in 1945, after serving on various ships (and being sunk at least once!) in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the Japanese surrender in Hong Kong. He to has passed away, unfortunately.
“Pusser” is an old English Navy slang term for “Purser”
By: john_txic - 4th May 2013 at 06:46
I thought the Shagbat was known as the Pusser’s Duck?
By: Avro Avian - 3rd May 2013 at 22:29
PM sent! 🙂
By: hampden98 - 3rd May 2013 at 21:32
“Pussers” is a slang term that refers to the Navy. Therefore, the Walrus would be the Navy’s Spitfire (very tongue in cheek!).
My father’s cousin served as the ship’s surgeon on HMS Anson in 1945, after serving on various ships (and being sunk at least once!) in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the Japanese surrender in Hong Kong. He to has passed away, unfortuneately.
Ah, that explains it. Thanks.
My father also witnessed the surrender.
He was a GRUE operator which is something to do with guns and target acquisition.
I have some pictures if you want to get in touch. Just PM me.
By: Avro Avian - 3rd May 2013 at 17:44
“Pussers” is a slang term that refers to the Navy. Therefore, the Walrus would be the Navy’s Spitfire (very tongue in cheek!).
My father’s cousin served as the ship’s surgeon on HMS Anson in 1945, after serving on various ships (and being sunk at least once!) in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the Japanese surrender in Hong Kong. He to has passed away, unfortuneately.
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May 3, 2013 at 5:14 pm