Nickname Gallery

Woman police officer Annie Matthews, Hyde Park, London

Woman police officer Annie Matthews (nickname Big Ben), on duty at the children's lido in Hyde Park, London. Before joining the Met Police, Annie worked as a housemaid at Glamis Castle in Scotland. She joined the force in July 1919, but left in July 1922 during the period of the so-called Geddes Axe, when the government of the day reduced the number of policewomen from 112 to 20. However she rejoined in December 1922 and continued to serve until December 1949. Date: 1939

© Metropolitan Police Authority/Mary Evans

Boxing match, Jack Johnson v Jess Willard, Havana, Cuba

Jack Johnson (1878-1946), nicknamed the Galveston Giant, African-American world heavyweight champion boxer, 1908-1915, in the world heavyweight title match (in Havana, Cuba) on 5 April 1915 against Jess Willard (1881-1968), American heavyweight boxer, nicknamed the Pottawatomie Giant. Willard won by a knockout in the 26th round. Date: 1915

© Mary Evans / Pharcide

The Caravel Nina

The reconstructed caravel ship of Columbus first fleet, called the Santa Clara but nicknamed the Nina because of its smaller size and her owner Juan Nino of Moguer. The Nina was Columbus favourite ship of the three. The reconstruction has an American flag waving at the stern as it was for the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering the New World. Date: 1892

© Mary Evans Picture Library