Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[arthur elletson]

my discharge book no r803463 tilbury july 1964

[Andy simpson]

My book number was R879292 issued September 1969, as far as I am aware all the boys who left pwsts that year were all R numbers

[Colin Watson]

Greetings,
Mine issued 1968 is R864832,
all the best
Colin

[Paul Kennedy]

My discharge number is R911742 -1972-Paul Kennedy

[Andrew McCulloch]

I must have been one of the last to get an R number. We cadets were all trooped into Southampton one December 1971 afternoon and were duly photographed and issued. We then were trooped round to the MNAOA offices to join the Union - closed shop in those days. So one of the last numbers issued is mine - R906136.
It has just one ship on it - Clan Menzies February to August 1972. Happily Double "VG".
I'd always assumed that the Discharge Books changed because of the introduction of the Code of Conduct and the elimination of fines and reporting on conduct and ability. I still remind my land based friends that, as always, the MN led the way when it came to industrial relations.

[Bill Smith]

I've done some research on Discharge Books and Discharge A numbers from WW2 to 1972 to try and get an idea of the turnover of British seamen over the period.
Typical numbers issued for various years are

1940 R 217400
1943 R 230000
1945 R 310000
1956 R 658000
1965 R 816000
1972 ??? Was R prefix still used at this time.

I would be grateful for feedback on whether these numbers look reasonable and also for some information on the numbers issued around 1972.
thanks
David Snook

My discharge book no.in 1952 was R576555

[Tony Hyslop]

Hi David .

My discharge number issued on 19 / 03 / 1971 at Gravesend Sea School was R896769 .

Hope this helps you with your research .

Tony.

[David Marwick]

My discharge book noR866060 issued May 69

[Doc Vernon]

Thread is a bit long so cannot recall if i have posted mine!?
R697530 issued 1958
Cheers

[Len Michaels]

My first Discharge Book issued Dec 1968 was R868700 when all books were renewed in 1974 my new book kept the same number.

I hope this helps.