Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[Doc Vernon]

Reference:	BT 372/1157/65
Description:	R501689 JOHN D 14/08/1911 SAINT LUCIA BRITISH WEST INDIES
Date:	1913 - 1972

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C8317010

[Alan Trueman]

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, # R563007 was issued at Liverpool 28th November 1951

[Alan Trueman]

My discharge book was endorsed with my 2nd Mates C of C 1/8/56 when I signed off the SS Pyrrhus at Birkenhead, about 2 months after getting my ticket

[Roger5261]

- - - Updated - - -

Jan 1st 1973 was when R numbers became UK numbers. My Discharge Book was issued at the Barry Mercantile Marine Office in April 1972 and was R908118. It changed again in 1997 when UK numbers became DB numbers.

[Nick Eliason]

Hello David,
For what it is worth, my discharge book was issued in early 1972 - the issue number being R909733.
Regards,
Nick Eliason.

[Chris Thompson]

My book issued April 72 in Newcastle is R 904360. Sailed away as J/E with Silver line, still got my uniform and can still get into it, must admit the trousers are a bit tight.

[Rob Cumbes]

Hi David
I first went to sea in February1969. Can't remember whether I got my discharge book at the end of 1968 or beginning of 1969. R860757.
Cheers
Rob

[Chris Gundry]

HI Daviid My discharge book number is R730309 issued 13th September 1960
Chris Gundry

[John Fidler]

My Discharge Book is/was R909653 issued Sept 1972 - This had pages for DRs etc. Was reissued with newer Book minus the DRs in November 1972. My first ship was MV "British Gannet" and it appears by itself in one and the updated was the start of 43 years of working the worlds’ oceans.
Hope the above makes sense.
Rgds John

[Peter Ross]

Haven't read all the posts but my fathers discharge book number is R 68737 ONLY 5 NUMBERS. It was first issued May 1929