Discharge Book numbering from WW 2 to 1972 for British seamen

Mine was R678578 ISSUED in 1956

Mine is R643825 issued in January 1956 - Allan Davidson

Mine was R790393,issued Aug 1963

This is accurate in my case - 1955 - R623763.

If it helps my Discharge Book was issued at Newcastle-on -Tyne 20 August 1958 R 697710

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Originally Posted by David Snook

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

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Mine was R865950 issued mid 1968. Odd but Interesting topic.
Peter Gill

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Originally Posted by David Snook

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far.

Stuart Henderson's point about not seeing R 4????? numbers seems to be backed up by Colin Hawken (R 510709) and Fred Lacey(R 525985)both from 1949 which were issued 2 years after R 396040. Any R 4????? numbers out there?

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 ?

thanks again for the help
David Snook

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mine was issued 30/06/1972 R911747

Just checked mine . R900850 issued 29th November 1971 Dock Street E1 . "New style" book issued with same number 26th March 1973 Dock Street .

My DB R-878732 was issued 7 July 1969 on the Tyne and replaced by a new style book with the same number 3 April 1973 leaving my conduct & ability open to speculation. A red seaman's card was issued 26 April 1978 which I was able to use instead of a passport to return to UK on one occasion.

I’m not sure if it helps but I joined in Sept 1970 & my No. was R885849