Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

[j.sabourn]

#358 The master who died before his time was Jim Howie from South Shields Maybe Cappy knew of him. The only reason I remember his name was is the only one in book for the first 4 years at sea. JS.

[j.sabourn]

#361. Of course I could say it was the the sweet course was the cause of his early death as the Cook put too much custard with the apple crumble . And being one never to refuse a challenge he took on more than he could chew. However it was a couple of years after I sailed with him that he passed away. I remember him also as the only master who released me for 2 days leave after my first trip , maybe hoping I would not come back , those two days included travelling time Purfleet to Newcastle , and Newcastle to Cardiff .He nearly got his wish, if my old man had kept his mouth shut on opening the front door and saying Well have you had enough ? He wanted me at home with him , he was a hard man to work with , would have been rowing all the time , that’s rowing not rowing with the sculls not skulls . Cheers JS

[cappy]

#358 The master who died before his time was Jim Howie from South Shields Maybe Cappy knew of him. The only reason I remember his name was is the only one in book for the first 4 years at sea. JS.

No john didnt know of him even .......but sad news for his family no doubt....cappy

[Keith Nicholls]

Mine is R810312 issued August 1964.

[Michael Callighan]

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

Hi David my discharge book number is R850728 and was issued inApril 1967. Regards Mick.

[mike osborne]

hi all, my book was issued 30/6/1960 NUMBER R 730839 cheers, mike osborne

[frank greenfield]

Hi David,my discharge book number for 1950 is R545192.Regards Frank Greenfield.

[Philip Gregson]

My original book was issued in 1969 with "R" prefix. I renewed in 1972 to comply with new regs but new book has the R prefix. I wonder whether the "UK" prefix only applied to new applicants from 1972 onwards.

[Hugh]

My original book was issued in 1969 with "R" prefix. I renewed in 1972 to comply with new regs but new book has the R prefix. I wonder whether the "UK" prefix only applied to new applicants from 1972 onwards.

Your Dis.A number was for the duration of your service. So your actual book could be renewed if it was lost or stolen or if it was full but your original number would continue into the new book. So yes, from 1973 new entrants to the Merchant Navy would be issued with a UK number.
Hugh

[Alec Crichton]

1967 r850907