Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

hope i am on correct page.
I am Robert Broome Discharge book number R545551 , issued at Grimsby Lincs on 8 January 1951.


First entry Was on 12/Jan /1951 on HMT "Empire Medway at Southampton. as Junior engineer. I remember being told that i was officially the 26th engineer signed on!!
Last entry was MV " Knebworth" on 27 Feb 1956 as 2nd Eng. Still have my book and it will be handed to my son at the time of my passing. Always proud to have served in the worlds first and best Merchant Navy.

Hi David
I was issued my number 1967 Julyish. R888597.
Very best regards Pete

john g april 1954

My discharge # R771984. Oct 1962

My Dis 'A' was R585657 issued Jan 1953.

Mick O'Brien's number UK 018117 from 1974 tallies with Doc Vernon's thought that the change from the R prefix to the UK prefix took place in 1972.
Is there anyone with a number issued in the 1968-72 period ?


I signed up in 1969 with my Discharge Book Number R881397

Hi,

My Log Book number was R789863 and was issued on the 21/11/1962. I hope this helps.

Kind regards

Roy

John Swan. Common Bros. R588598 March.1953, A number engraved in my memory, never forgotten it, like my Fathers car which he gave to me. BBB991. A 1936 Rover 10. Had to sell it in 1960 to buy the pram for 1st born, the prom cost more than I got for the car £25 if I remember correctly.

Mine’s R870515 started NSTS December 68 to March 69

[QUOTE=David Snook;84021]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: R892811 0ctober 1970 : nigel cox