As is the nature of degrees of separation, it turns out that a friend of a friend is the great granddaughter of EA Gill who ran the London and Rochester Trading Company, builder and owner of many a Thames Sailing Barge including Cabby.
Cabby, herself, was named after his wife’s dog – although this has been questioned as it may well be Pudge who had that honour – it certainly sounds a more dog-like name.
They also, very kindly shared a photo of the boat that provided Cabby with a lot of her gear when we were re-rigged – Sirdar on 6th May 1953 in the Medway, from the Gill Family archives.
Sailing Barge Cabby 